Forgiveness Matters
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out
with him to be executed. When they came to the
place called the Skull, there they crucified him,
along with the criminals––one on his right, the
other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,
for they do not know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:32–34Dear Father God, I am humbled by Jesus’ first words from the cross. He has been beaten beyond recognition, flogged numerous times, crowned with a crown of thorns, and has
been receiving nonstop insults from those who were watching. He barely had any life left in him. Yet his very first words from the cross were, “Father, forgive them.”Lord, I’m so sorry for the times that I have held unforgiveness in my heart toward others. Please forgive me for being insensitive and unkind. Please forgive me for my unforgiving heart. I pray that you will give me the ability to forgive quickly just as I see Christ has done from the cross.
Lord, I also see that Jesus never breathed a murmur or sigh of complaint while he faced his execution. He never waved a flag of surrender. He never once threw in the towel.
He climbed Calvary’s Hill for me. My sins nailed him to that cross. Lord, may I live every day of my life thankful for the sacrifice that has been made on my behalf. May my life declare the praises of my Redeemer, and may I daily look for opportunities to raise his banner high!Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into
an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in
heaven for you.
1 Peter 1:3–4
