And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” - Luke 23:33-34

The fact that Jesus uttered this petition for the forgiveness of his persecutors and executioners - while hanging on the cross - makes even the most hardened heart take a step back in shock and wonder. In fact, this is precisely what happened when the centurion and those with him were gathered at the foot of the cross: “…they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” -Matthew 27:54

This exhibit of blatant compassion is so startling and counter-cultural that it’s a wonder Christ’s message still goes largely unnoticed in a world so desperately seeking authentic love, grace, and mercy. It is this sacrificial love to which so many Christ-followers have aspired, but none could achieve - for it is a selfless love that only God in the flesh could have accomplished.
While you and I may occasionally accomplish random acts of grace, love, and mercy we are a wretched lot for whom the burdens, inconveniences, and general deviant behavior of mankind are a constant source of temptation and distraction. This means that without Christ, we are as good as dead!

And so we are each called to gather at the foot of the cross, every morning, to be struck with the same awe and wonder every time we hear Christ’s petition, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

It is necessary to our life shared in Christ that we constantly be reminded and must remind one another about to the “song of our people” - that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are called, gathered, enlightened, and sanctified and sent out to boldly proclaim, “You are forgiven! By the love of the Father in Christ Jesus, who is Lord and Savior of all, you are forgiven!”
In fact,Latter 2nd century emperor, Marcus Aurelius (last of the so called Five “Good” Emperors) is quoted as saying: “Today you will meet all kinds of unpleasant people; they will hurt you, and injure you, and insult you; but you cannot live like that; you know better, for you are a man in whom the spirit of God dwells.”

The message of God’s unmerited grace, love, and forgiveness is so counter-cultural to this eye-for-an-eye world that the Gospel message invariable gets drowned out by the constant barrage of media and daily interaction and general hassle of living our daily lives in the world. It is our burden to live in the world but not of it.

And so, we forget. We forget what it is that brought us to the foot of the cross, in the first place - our sin and helplessness to do anything about it ourselves. The veil of distraction and ignorance so easily envelops us and soon we become desensitized and disengaged from the incredible and profound message of a God who loves us like no other!

Alan Kraft is pastor of Christ Community Church in Greeley, CO, in his book, Good News for Those Trying Harder. Alan shares a story about a time when his wife borrowed his car and heard a CD he had loaded in the sound system.

The song touched her. When she asked him about it, he was able to recite the lyrics, but was unable to answer when she asked about the song’s meaning.

The next time he was in his car, he listened to the song, as though for the first time, and found himself weeping. He had heard the song dozens of times before, and was even familiar with the lyrics, but had never really heard the music.

“That is exactly how many of us experience the gospel. We understand the content of the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. We humbly received this good news at some point in our lives and experienced a genuine conversion. We look for opportunities to share the gospel with others. We are familiar with the lyrics of the gospel but are not really hearing its music in our soul.”

Alan’s experience, I think, is not unlike the experience of many people, especially those of us who have been Christians for a while. If we’re not careful, we get to the point where we don’t hear the music of the Gospel anymore. We are a bunch of Christian “crooners” who can sentimentally recite the lyrics, but the profound and life-transforming message of the Gospel ceases to touch our hearts.
We live in a culture that is horrifically fractured. It’s left many bitter and angry. Brothers and sisters don’t speak to each other. Children haven’t been home in years due to a falling-out with their parents. Victims of crime seek revenge. Neighbors hurl insults and obscene gestures across their yards. Even in the church can be found those who will not associate with one another. There is plenty of grudge-holding to go around by people who proclaim the forgiveness of God for their own sins - yet reserve the right to hold a grudge against those who have harmed them.

So, as Christians, we are put “on notice” every time we encounter the message of the cross and forgiveness that forever changed our relationship with God. It is this same call to grace and mercy that you and I are to respond in kind to those around us and in situations that inflict damage and can challenge the very core of our identity in Christ.

It comes down to you and me dying to self and living in the truth of God’s grace, love, and mercy in Christ: “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Being a follower of Jesus Christ requires that you sacrifice your own agendas, your pride, and selfish desires in order to bring glory to God the Father through your Christ-follower calling of serving those around you.

We are not called to do these things as works, by which we will be saved. It is because we have already been declared “forgiven!” - saved by God the Father in Christ Jesus!

Jesus has set us free from the shackles of sin and death. He has done it all and has left nothing undone in order that we might receive the Father’s full forgiveness.
He already did the hard part – Jesus completely emptied himself of every selfish desire and gave his very life for you who could not save yourself from your own sin and from death.
It is finished!

Give of yourself unconditionally; in sacrificing your time, your talents, and your resources.
In loving each and every person you meet as if they were Jesus Christ himself.
Go ahead… You have nothing to lose… and everything to gain!

May God grant you the perfect peace that comes with the forgiveness and freedom Jesus has purchased for you. Amen!