“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know
what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34
While He was hanging on the Cross, Jesus spoke 7 times.
Each time His words sketched a clear picture of His love for sinners and His
intimate relationship with His heavenly Father. Even despite the excruciating
pain, Jesus noticed other people and tried to help them.
In the period before His crucifixion, Jesus’
relationships had also suffered. The 12 friends who had accompanied Him for 3
years deserted Him, Peter denied Him and Judas betrayed Him. The Jewish people
for whom He had come, rejected His offer of salvation and had Him crucified.
Despite the agony He was suffering on the Cross. Jesus prayed for those that
rejected Him and had Him crucified. He prayed that His Father should forgive
them because they did not understand the impact of their actions.
The unconditional love and forgiveness of Jesus are still
available to you. You can confess your sins with confidence because He is
prepared to forgive them!
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Derived from Living
in God’s Love, Nina Smit
