Many of our readers probably know this... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.
Luke 23:34

Many of our readers probably know this saying of the Lord Jesus Christ. But have we ever been aware of the circumstances under which He uttered these words?

There He hung on the cross, bleeding from His wounds, tormented by raging pain and burning thirst. And around the place of execution stood the soldiers who had just driven the nails through His hands and feet. Perhaps they had done it with professional callousness, to the laughter of their hardened comrades. Moreover, the Bible records the biting derision of the leaders of the people.

Compassionate onlookers may have thought, “Surely they can’t be so cruel as to take His life!” But that is exactly what they wanted to do! Perhaps someone else thought, “One must stand by such a helpless man!” But the others knew how to ease their consciences: “Stop it! There is no pity for common criminals.” Only a short time before, Pilate had asked the question, “What evil has He done?” The answer has now been pending for two thousand years. There was no valid reason for His condemnation! An innocent man was executed.

Now in this situation the Lord prayed for His enemies! There are no words for this. None of us would have acted like that. But Jesus, even in the deepest suffering, thought of the forgiveness that His haters needed and that we all need. This is love – an unspeakably great, overwhelming love! Now that He is risen and alive, He still loves. His love is also for you personally!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus, spread His praise from shore to shore!
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore!
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne!
S.T. Francis (1834-1925)

Today’s reading: Ezekiel 27:1-36 · Psalms 129:1-8