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| "Father, Forgive them" |
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23:34 And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." This is a statement made by our Lord Jesus, as he hung on the cross, knowing that his life in human form was close to ending. After what had been done to Him by these people, mocking Him, scourging Him, making Him carry the cross he was to be hung on, and then taking the nails, one by one, and hammering them through His flesh, Jesus asked His Father to forgive them, because they didn’t know what they were doing.
I don’t know if I completely agree with the statement that they didn’t know what they were doing. I know, Jesus spoke the words, and I know He knows better than me, but how could they not know what they were doing? Perhaps they didn’t realize WHO they were doing it to, or the SEVERITY of their actions, or how those actions would affect the rest of life on this earth, but they still knew they were beating someone, they were hanging someone on a cross and that He would die. They knew enough to realize what they were doing was wrong, just as we do when we sin, but they found ways to justify and rationalize it. Weren’t they guilty of sin? Weren’t they guilty, like we all are, when we do something that we know is wrong? And yet, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them".
I understand that their thoughts were clouded by satan, and that he was making them do evil things. Perhaps because of that, they couldn’t see the truth, and therefore, Jesus could say that they didn’t know what they were doing. And perhaps, it all happened because it was already pre-planned by God, to save the rest of us, and no matter what, they wouldn't be able to see what they were doing for what it actually was.
However, I think of the times I have blatantly sinned. I certainly knew what I was doing was wrong, but did it anyway. Did I have rose colored glasses on, and not really realize the extent of what I was doing, or think that I wouldn’t get caught? Probably. That was no doubt satan taking control of my thoughts, and causing me to think that I could get away with it. But deep down inside, I knew what I was doing. I knew it was wrong and I did it anyway. And still, Jesus says, "Father, forgive them".
Is this what satan does to us? He gives us a distorted view of things, so that we are unable to see the actual truth in a situation? Does he help us to convince ourselves that we won’t get caught, that it is ok because every body else is doing it, or any number of excuses that we can come up with to justify our behavior? Each time I sin, does Jesus say to God, “Father forgive her, for she does not know what she is doing?” YES! And praise God that He does!
I find Jesus the most compassionate man ever. He is willing to go to God in my defense, even though I do have some idea of what I am doing when I sin, and He tells God to forgive me because I don’t really know what I am doing...I don’t see the whole picture. I don’t see the people that will be hurt by my actions, or how much it hurts Him or God, and He knows that my views in this life are distorted. He has compassion on me, even though I am a sinner, and He goes to His Father and tells Him to forgive me. That is the most amazing love ever.
Father, forgive us all.
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| I don't think that really understood that they were killing the Son of God.They saw this man as a trouble maker claiming to be the Son of God.Some saw Him as a prophet one of the others from the bible from years before.I don't think that they could have known who He really was unless God thru the Holy Spirit would show them the truth.I think Jesus prayed this because their eyes were closed to who He really was so that this could be accomplished.That the Son of God would be crusified.When it was finished which is what His last words were.The attonement for own sins was accomplished.That way these same ppl (thru wisdom from the Holy Spirit )when they realized what they had truly done could be forgiven by God.Jesus paid the price the price so that the very ppl who killed Him could be forgiven for thier sins.How awesome is that. |
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| The thing is Jesus knew what they thought and what they believed and knowing something is not the same as believing it the mind may know the heart may know but it takes the spirit to believe and I believe he was refering to the compleate aspect. which they could not have had for few were given the spititual part prior to the coming of the comforter. |
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| Yes, Deb, HIS is the most amazing love ever! You sure got that right! Great blog! |
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Cheryl |
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January 09, 2008 at 6:50pm |
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| Great blog! |
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Deb |
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January 10, 2008 at 10:59am |
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Maddie, thank you for your very interesting comments! I agree that their eyes were closed, as to who Jesus was. What Jesus did is awesome, and that doesn't even come close to describing it.
Valerie, you are so right.
Yahschild, thank you!
Cheryl, thank you as well. |
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Gene |
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January 11, 2008 at 4:22pm |
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| Amen, forgive us all. |
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Deb |
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January 12, 2008 at 10:23am |
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Gene, Amen.
The Light, thanks! |
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Yes Lord, forgive me as well. Deb, this is really deep stuff!
"Is this what satan does to us? He gives us a distorted view of things, so that we are unable to see the actual truth in a situation?" .....I would say that there's a whole lot of truth to this. However I also think God always gives us enough truth to make the right(eous) decision. Otherwise, how could he hold us accountable and still be just?
"However, I think of the times I have blatantly sinned. I certainly knew what I was doing was wrong, but did it anyway." .....Deb, this statement cuts me to the core, b/c I know that every sin I've ever committed was intentional (blatant), in some respect. Every sin springs from my desire to do it "my way". I would be in a state of utter grief at the moment, if not for the flip side, "He forgave us all our sins, having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
Thanks for sharing this Deb. I needed to hear/read it!!
~mike |
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Deb |
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January 12, 2008 at 10:45am |
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| Mike, thanks for your comments. I think that our sins are a desire to do things our way. We have to get to the point of utter submission before we can do it God's way, and that is the hardest thing to do. Thank God for Jesus and His Grace. |
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| You know, Deb, I wondered about this statement for a long time, too. I think that they didn't realize that they were carrying out the will of God. It was necessary that Jesus die and they didn't know what they were doing. I am not sure I have the words here to describe what I am trying to say. Jesus was already interceding on their behalf while they were yet sinners - just like you and me. |
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Deb |
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January 13, 2008 at 10:07am |
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| DC, I understand what you are saying. I think that even we, sometimes, when we sin don't understand the full seriousness of what our actions will bring in consequences. Thankfully, they had Jesus and we have Him now, to light the way for us to go to Heaven. |
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| Awesome blog! If we really thought about what we were doing, maybe we would think twice, eh? |
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Deb |
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January 15, 2008 at 9:58am |
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| Lara, yes, perhaps, but somehow, I doubt it. lol |
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