Father Forgive Them

From the cross Jesus prayed Father forgive them for they do not know what they do.

Key Concept

But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.Luke 23:34 NASB1995

• Nailed and mocked, Jesus prayed for the people driving the nails - Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.
• Level 1: While nailed up, Jesus asked God to forgive the people hurting Him - they did not know what they did.
• Level 2: At maximum injustice, Jesus prayed for enemies - like asking mercy for someone hurting you before you have won or escaped.
• Level 3: Because intercession came at the moment of greatest wrong, the prayer models mercy when condemnation would be easier.
• Level 4: Pray for someone who wronged you before you rehearse the case against them - intercession first, ledger second.
• Level 5: The prayer is intercession for enemies at maximum injustice - under Free Grace, I am among the forgiven who did not know the weight of what we rejected.
• The prayer is intercession for enemies at the moment of maximum injustice, not a delayed lecture after He won.
• Moved with Compassion bent His calendar for hurting people; here mercy speaks when He had every right to condemn.
• Under Free Grace, I am among the forgiven who did not know the weight of what we rejected - His prayer bought space for Repent and Believe later.

Examples

• Someone slandered me online and my thumb hovered over a nuclear reply - Father forgive them is prayer first, not victory lap after I cool down.
• The coworker who sabotaged my project walked past my desk - Jesus prayed for His executioners while they were still executing.

Note Relationships