Dear Christian friends:

If we see a picture of Jesus crucified we see it through a man's eye, standing on the ground and looking up at Jesus on the cross. A few years ago a man painted a picture of the crucifixion looking through the eyes of Jesus. The young artist painted what Jesus saw as He hung on the cross looking down at the crowd of people.

Our text does that, too. It shows what Jesus saw and what He said while out-stretched looking down on the people: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."

These words help us understand the crucifixion. Only when we see it through Jesus' eyes can we understand it. Jesus looked with love and forgiveness: "Father forgive them!" Whom did Jesus see when He spoke those words? Did He see you there?


Jesus meant all in His prayer for God's forgiveness. His eyes saw the soldiers who nailed Him to the cross. They were gambling for His robe, as David prophesied:"They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture." (Psalm 22:18) No, they didn't know they were sinning against the Son of God. They were doing their duty, obeying the governors orders. But Jesus prayed for their forgiveness.

Jesus also saw the chief priests, scribes and elders. They were the ones who planned and forced Pilate and the soldiers to crucify Jesus. Even now they continue to mock, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is Christ, the chosen of God."

True these Jews knew that Jesus was not guilty of death and they were not fully ignorant. But they did understand how terrible their crime was. Jesus prayed that God forgive them.

While hanging on the cross Jesus' eyes also saw the two robbers crucified, one on his right and the other on the left. Both mocked Him at first. But, then the one on the right changed and believed. He asked for forgiveness and Jesus said: "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43) He prayed that God forgive the thieves too.

Some were not there in person: Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate, Herod, Peter, and the faithless disciples. Jesus wanted God to forgive them too.

Jesus' eyes saw all His enemies and also His friends: Mary, His mother, Mary Magdalene, and John. They did not join in mocking or crucifying Him. They were crying. But Jesus meant them also when He prayed, "Father forgive them!"

And we, too, were there. Our sins helped nail Him to the cross. Yes, Jesus' eyes saw you, me and all men there, even Adam and Eve. Don't be displeased to hear that. It is true. Confess your sins and thank Jesus that He prayed for you, that God forgive you.

And ask His help in avoiding sin, sins that once wounded Him and still hurt our brother and sister in the world, especially that sin of refusing to forgive others. If Jesus could pray in such pain that God forgive us, surely we can not refuse to forgive others who sin against us.

Now while Jesus prayed to God the Father to forgive all men He did not merely express a wish. He was doing more. While He prayed He also earned that forgiveness for man.

Jesus prayed for our forgiveness but do we deserve that? Can we expect and demand forgiveness from God? The Bible says: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezekiel 18:20)

Man knows He is a sinner. Most men will confess that. But often Man thinks if he is sorry god must forgive him because he is sorry. But that is not true. God does not forgive you because you are sorry or because you ask it. Judas was sorry about His sin, but regardless, he went to hell.

Masons think if they are sorry and ask God owes them forgiveness. Hindus are a little like that. They think if a man is sorry and fasts as in other ways hurts and punishes himself God owes forgiveness. Most people have ideas like that, but that is not why God forgives you.

Why does He? Because of Jesus! Jesus suffered and paid to God for your sins that's why. In Jesus' name you may ask and expect forgiveness, yes, even demand it. And because of Jesus, God must forgive you. Because of Jesus not because you or your tears or your suffering.

That is why Jesus was crucified. He suffered. He paid. Not you or any man. That's what Jesus knew while He hung nailed to the cross looking down on men and praying: "Father, forgive them!" And the Father looking down from heaven saw Jesus, suffering and praying and He announced all forgiven, no matter who.

So you are finished, forgiven! Believe it and you have it, forgiveness! Doubt it and you loose it! Don't doubt!

Paul understood this well. He once worked to destroy Jesus' teaching and His followers. Then God led him to see his error. Then He understood about the cross. He saw Jesus hanging there for his sin. Then later he wrote: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Paul even said that He was punished with Christ: "I am crucified with Christ!" (Galatians 2:20) He was not lying or boasting. He meant: "I deserved that crucifixion. I sinned. Not Jesus. Jesus suffered instead of me" And that made Paul love Jesus very much. He decided to live for Jesus now. Christ lived in His heart and led Him to gladly preach and suffer for Jesus' sake.

So you also! If you believe that Jesus died for your sins, you, too, will love Him very, very much and do many things gladly for your dear Savior. So if you want to know about life and heaven think yourself crucified with Christ. You must understand that you were not only beneath the cross, but hanging on it with Jesus. Christ died for the sins of the world, but He is not your Savior until you see yourself on the cross in Him.

Amen.