Jesus, while dying on the cross, prayed "Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing" for those who were crucifying him. This shows that even in his greatest time of suffering, Jesus prayed for his enemies rather than seeking revenge or punishment against them. By dying on the cross as an innocent man in place of guilty sinners, Jesus changed enemies into friends and offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who put their trust in him.
Jesus, while dying on the cross, prayed "Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing" for those who were crucifying him. This shows that even in his greatest time of suffering, Jesus prayed for his enemies rather than seeking revenge or punishment against them. By dying on the cross as an innocent man in place of guilty sinners, Jesus changed enemies into friends and offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who put their trust in him.
Jesus, while dying on the cross, prayed "Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing" for those who were crucifying him. This shows that even in his greatest time of suffering, Jesus prayed for his enemies rather than seeking revenge or punishment against them. By dying on the cross as an innocent man in place of guilty sinners, Jesus changed enemies into friends and offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who put their trust in him.
Jesus, while dying on the cross, prayed "Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing" for those who were crucifying him. This shows that even in his greatest time of suffering, Jesus prayed for his enemies rather than seeking revenge or punishment against them. By dying on the cross as an innocent man in place of guilty sinners, Jesus changed enemies into friends and offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who put their trust in him.
Luke 23:34 “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.
” Who do you pray for most?
When things are going well there is probably a long list. When you are tired or busy you probably have a shorter list of real needs and closer personal concerns. When life is at its hardest I guess most of your prayers are for yourself, although you can perhaps spare a prayer for your family or a close friend in great need. But when Jesus’s life was almost at an end, when the pain was worst, Jesus didn’t pray for his mother Mary watching nearby. He didn’t pray for his dear disciples Peter James and John. Jesus didn’t pray for the church which would come into being as a result of His death. At that moment of agony instead we find Jesus praying for His enemies. And not praying in revenge that God’s judgement and punishment would fall on those who were torturing and executing Him. But praying for their forgiveness! “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” Praying for His enemies! We have a lot to learn from our Lord Jesus Christ about praying for our enemies. And it all comes from this:- God changes enemies into friends This is what the cross is all about. One man who was innocent dying in the place of those who were guilty. Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Everybody who puts their trust in Jesus’s death and resurrection can know forgiveness of sins and the certainty of eternal life. We can share that wonderful promise, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” So it is no coincidence that the place where we find Jesus praying for His enemies is indeed the cross. Father forgive them. Punish me instead of them. Accept my death instead of theirs.