Jesus asks for forgiveness for those crucifying Him, emphasizing His divine grace and mercy.
The first of Jesus Christ’s seven last words on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34), encapsulates the profound depth of divine mercy and forgiveness at the heart of the Christian faith.
This statement, uttered at a moment of intense suffering and injustice, offers a potent entry point for an Orthodox Christian Bible study that seeks to unpack its theological significance and practical implications for believers.
34. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots.”
The idea of divine justice
Contextual Analysis
23:34 This mediation is not only for those who sentenced and crucified Jesus but for all of the hu-manity-a people who have no insight into the profound mystery of God’s salvation. Jesus speaks these words not as a request but with divine authority. Their great sin would still have been forgiven them had they repented. Indeed, one of the soldiers did repent (v. 47) and is considered a saint of the Church.
In reflecting on Luke 23:34, we are invited to delve into the depths of divine mercy and the breadth of Christ’s forgiveness. This moment, captured in the Scriptures, presents Jesus on the cross amidst His agony, offering forgiveness to those responsible for His crucifixion. Yet, this intercession extends beyond the immediate circle of His executioners, reaching out to the entirety of humanity. It encompasses all who, through their actions or inactions, have distanced themselves from the love of God, illustrating a collective blindness to the salvific work of Christ.
This profound plea, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” emanates not merely as a petition from the Son to the Father but resonates with the authority of divine will. It underscores the reality that knowledge of God and His salvation remains a mystery, often obscured by human sin and ignorance. However, within this appeal lies an implicit call to repentance, a doorway to forgiveness that remains open for all who seek to return to God.
The narrative further reveals the transformative power of Christ’s forgiveness through the figure of the centurion, who, witnessing the events of the crucifixion, proclaimed Christ’s innocence (Luke 23:47). This acknowledgment can be seen as an act of repentance, leading to his recognition as a saint within the Church. His journey from executioner to saint exemplifies the potential for all humanity to be reconciled with God, regardless of past transgressions, through the grace of repentance and divine mercy.
Therefore, Luke 23:34 is a powerful reminder of the inexhaustible depth of God’s love and forgiveness. It invites believers to contemplate the mystery of salvation, recognize their own need for repentance, and embrace the transformative grace offered through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In doing so, it calls the faithful to extend the same forgiveness to others, embodying the love and mercy of God in their lives.
This saying occurs shortly after Jesus was crucified by two criminals in Golgotha, a place outside Jerusalem’s walls. The soldiers are casting lots for his garments, fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 22:18.
Despite the agony of crucifixion—a brutal method of Roman execution reserved for the worst criminals—
-Jesus’ first recorded words are not of condemnation or bitterness but of forgiveness.
Theological Significance
1. Divine Mercy and Forgiveness: Jesus’ request to His Father for the forgiveness of His executioners highlights the boundless mercy of God.
It underscores the Christian understanding that God’s love and forgiveness are offered unconditionally,
even to those who are actively harming others or are ignorant of the gravity of their actions.
2. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus’ life and ministry fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.
His act of forgiveness from the cross echoes the suffering servant in Isaiah 53, who bears many’s sins and intercedes for the transgressors.
3. Christ’s Priestly Role: In Orthodox theology, Christ is the ultimate priest, mediator, and intercessor between God and humanity.
By praying for the forgiveness of those who crucified Him, Jesus embodies His role as the mediator who reconciles humanity to God, even in His dying moments.
4. The Mystery of Incarnation and the Cross: The Orthodox tradition emphasizes the mystery of God becoming a man in the person of Jesus Christ, fully divine and fully human, to save humanity through His death and resurrection.
This saying from the cross reveals the depth of God’s love and the profound mystery of salvation through suffering and self-giving love.
Ethical and Spiritual Implications for Believers
1. Imitating Christ’s Forgiveness: This saying challenges Christians to forgive others as Christ forgave.
It calls believers to extend forgiveness even in the face of injustice or when the other party is unaware of their wrongdoing.
2. Understanding Human Ignorance and Sin: The phrase “for they do not know what they do” invites reflection on the nature of sin and ignorance.
It encourages compassion towards those who sin out of ignorance and a recognition of one’s own need for God’s mercy.
3. Prayer and Intercession: Just as Christ interceded for others, Orthodox Christians are called to pray for the world, including their enemies or those who wrong them, participating in Christ’s priestly ministry of reconciliation.
4. The Power of Forgiveness in Healing and Reconciliation:
Forgiveness is not only a moral obligation but also a transformative power that brings about healing and reconciliation, both personally and communally.
Conclusion
In Orthodox Christianity, the study of “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” serves not only as a reflection on the magnitude of Christ’s mercy and the heart of the Gospel message but also as a guide for living out the Christian virtues of forgiveness, compassion, and love. This saying from the cross challenges believers to embody the self-giving love of Christ in their lives, fostering a community grounded in forgiveness and reconciliation.
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