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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – Of all the words printed in red in the bible, the things that Jesus Christ said, this, to me is the most incredible.
“Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.”
Those were Jesus’ words, in agony, on the cross. How could someone, wrongfully sent to death, offer forgiveness to his tormenters?
Jesus intercedes to God almighty for forgiveness. To the Jewish people of the day, he asks that they be forgiven. They didn’t know he was the Messiah. To the Jewish leaders, forgive them. If I am the Christ they lose their authority and status within the church. He knows it is human nature to covet those things. To Pilate, forgive him, he only thought he was the administrator over a petty religious dispute. To the soldiers who gave him a crown of thorns and drew lots for his garments, forgive them, they could not have understood.
That very day Christ had been scourged, shamefully had to carry his cross through the streets, and had nails driven into his hands and feet. And in utter agony, he offers forgiveness and mercy.
I find forgiveness very difficult. It’s one of the hardest teachings of the faith for me. I tend to remember those who have wronged me. And Jesus, who suffered more than I can imagine, says “father forgive them…” All of them.
I am reminded on this Good Friday that forgiveness is not optional. Jesus does not say, “you know, it would be nice if we could let byegones be beyones.” From the cross, he calls out “forgiveness”.
It is not easy. But if Christ could do it in his time of suffering, you and I can do it too.
Chris Conley
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