'Father, forgive them...'
- Alisdair Longwill
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
Last Sunday, I was invited to preach on one of the prayers of Jesus from the cross. My passage was the second half of Luke 23, which includes v. 34.
‘Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
I’ve read these verses numerous times over the years, but I’m still amazed at the selfless love of Jesus and his commitment to the Father’s plan to redeem and reconcile women and men, young people and children.
The passage continues and illustrates the scope of Jesus’ love, when in v.43 Jesus responds to the plea of the repentant criminal hanging on the cross next to him with these words: ‘(Jesus answered him): “For sure, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (NLV). It seems that God’s forgiveness is available to everyone, as an old hymn puts it – even ‘the vilest offender who truly believes – that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.’
The forgiving love of God is truly a wonderful thing. The apostle John realised this and wrote: ‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!’
Let me invite you this Easter to consider again the wonder of God’s forgiving love that reaches out to you and me making us his daughters and sons. And let me remind you, that same love reaches out to your family and friends, neighbours and colleagues inviting them also to become his daughters and sons.
Recently I’ve been reminded that, when forgiveness - which emanates from the heart of a loving God - is demonstrated by another, it is among the most powerful and beautiful of our redeemed human characteristics. I heard recently of a pastor, Erik Fitzgerald, who’s young pregnant wife was killed when the car of a paramedic firefighter who had worked a 24 hour shift and fallen asleep at the wheel collided head on with hers. In spite of the deepest of trauma and loss, Fitzgerald was able to forgive the man who caused the death of his wife. They have since become friends and now see each other as brothers. In a recorded interview (see link below – it’s a fascinating story) Fitzgerald says, “I remembered somebody said this in a sermon — in moments where tragedy happens or even hurt, there's opportunities to demonstrate grace or to exact vengeance… Here was an opportunity where I could do that. And I chose to demonstrate grace.”
This Easter as you and I remember and give thanks for the forgiving love of a lavish God, let us seek to show that same grace to others and be prepared to forgive those who have hurt us and caused us pain.
May you know his presence, peace, and forgiving love this Easter.
Yours because of Jesus,
Alisdair Longwill
Regional Minister
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