“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Luke 23:34
Had anyone ever prayed for these men? It is possible that not a single prayer had ever been said for even one of these Roman soldiers at any time in their lives. But Christ prayed for them. And Christ prays for you, too, when nobody else will.
They needed this prayer because ignorance of the law is no defence against breaking it. If you break the speed limit and get pulled over, telling the police officer, “But I didn’t see the sign,” it does not automatically free you from the penalty of the law.
Jesus did not say, “Father, forget it, because they do not know what they are doing,” He said, “Father, forgive them.” He made it clear that they needed to be forgiven, even though they did not know what they were doing.
Christ prayed for their forgiveness before they ever had any interest in being forgiven. They felt no need for forgiveness. As a matter of fact, they were not repentant, nor did they have faith. Did you know that Christ’s love is not a response to your turning?
These men were on a path to hell, and they were so dead in their sins that they did not even know what they were doing, but Jesus prayed for them. And Jesus prays for us long before we ever pray to Him.
Did you know that Jesus prayed for you long before you ever prayed to Him?
