First Word from the Cross--
 
"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34   You might like to read Matt. 18:21-35
 
He prayed this prayer many times. When He arrived at Calvary, when the soldiers crushed Him down upon the cross, when the nails tore through His flesh, when He was lifted upon the cross, when the crowd jeered Him, and when the soldiers gambled for His garments. No one knows how many times this cry pierced the heavens. His first word is His last prayer. It sweeps up to heaven burdened as no other prayer in the history of mankind, burdened with sin and all the loneliness,  hate, and terror of the centuries before and after.
 
The ghastly deed was done. The hammers were laid aside. An evil thrill went up from the multitude that stood by watching.
 
Suddenly the altar of our High Priest becomes the Prophet's pulpit, eloquent with . . .

First Word from the Cross--
 
"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34   You might like to read Matt. 18:21-35
 
He prayed this prayer many times. When He arrived at Calvary, when the soldiers crushed Him down upon the cross, when the nails tore through His flesh, when He was lifted upon the cross, when the crowd jeered Him, and when the soldiers gambled for His garments. No one knows how many times this cry pierced the heavens. His first word is His last prayer. It sweeps up to heaven burdened as no other prayer in the history of mankind, burdened with sin and all the loneliness,  hate, and terror of the centuries before and after.
 
The ghastly deed was done. The hammers were laid aside. An evil thrill went up from the multitude that stood by watching.
 
Suddenly the altar of our High Priest becomes the Prophet's pulpit, eloquent with words that will never die, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
 
Do any words of the Bible show more clearly that Jesus died to win forgiveness of all? Even those who nailed Him to the cross are included in that prayer. Though their hearts were black with hate, yellow with fear, green with envy, red with anger, the great High Priest prayed for their forgiveness. If Jesus pleaded for these, then surely He pleaded for all of us too.
 
This prayer of Jesus was answered. The Father forgave every sin of every sinner. The dark tragedy is that so many by unbelief forfeit this forgiveness.
 
Your love O God, would spare no pain
To conquer death and win;
You sent Your only Son to die
To rescue us from sin.
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - Before this Lent is past seek to restore at least one broken relationship in your life.
 
PRAY - O LORD, draw us to Thy side in trusting faith, that we may know that Thy prayer for our forgiveness was answered. Amen.