In beginning our study of the Jesus’ sayings as he was on the cross, we have first the words of forgiveness. These words are recorded in Luke 23:34 . Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” What great words of forgiveness. I want you to go back with me and let us remember for a moment of what they did.

First we see that Jesus was scourged. John tells us, “Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.” (John 19:1 ) This practice of scourging was common for anyone that was condemned to die in Roman society. This was a very brutal beating and was used to bring the victim to inches of their life.

They would take the victim and tie his hands together to an upright post. They would rip his clothes off to expose the back and whip him with a whip made up of various lengths of strands of leather that were braided together with sheep bones and iron balls at intervals. The iron balls would cause bruising and the leather and sheep bones would cause rips and tears in the victims back most time exposing the skeletal muscles. What a horrible image to think of, but that’s why Isaiah prophesied, “His visage (appearance) was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.” (Isa 52:14 ) He was beaten to the point that he no longer resembled anything we would call a man, and while they did that he was saying, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Like vultures, the soldiers cared nothing about human life, but wanted to please their own lust by winning this nice coat made of one continuous piece of material that Jesus wore. They crucified him, nailing his hands and feet to a cross. David prophesied saying, “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.” (Ps 22:16) While they drove the 7 inch tapered iron spike through his hands and feet, he said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

We can learn much from these words. Jesus during his ministry on earth taught, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; hat ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matt 5:43-45 ) This is one of the ultimate shows of love for the enemy and unjust. While they were doing these ungodly deeds, Jesus had no grudge. He had no bitterness to them, but wanted them to be saved. He wanted God to withhold His righteous judgment on those that did this to His Son.

God answered the prayer and gave them that crucified Christ and the entire world the opportunity to do so. No, God didn’t count them guiltless of the crime without any condition on the sinner, but he gave them the opportunity to receive forgiveness. We can see this from the words of Peter. Peter said, “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth… …being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.” (Acts 2:22-23 ) He continues, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:36-38 ) They believed Peter’s message and realized what they did. 3000 souls obeyed the gospel and where forgiven of the heinous crime against the Son of God that day.

How about you today? Don’t you know that the sins of the whole world are responsible for putting Christ on the cross? Have you been obedient to gospel of Christ and been forgiven of your sins?