³³ When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[³⁴ Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. ³⁵ And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, ³⁷ and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸ There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” ³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³ He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:33-43

“Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”  Bonhoeffer writes,  “G-d (himself)…absolves the world…Now there is no more G-dlessness, no more hatred, no more sin which G-d has not…(Himself)…expiated.  Now there is no more reality, no more world, but it is reconciled with G-d and at peace.  G-d did this in (His) dear Son Jesus Christ.” 

N.T. Wright, in his book “How God Became King” writes:

“The powers that put Jesus on the cross didn’t realize that by doing so they were in fact serving God’s purposes, unveiling the “wisdom” that lies at the heart of the universe. When Jesus died on the cross he was winning the victory over “the rulers and authorities” who have carved up this world in their own violent and destructive way.”

Jesus Christ is the way (to truth), the truth (itself, which is G-d), and the life (now and eternally). But those who killed him had no idea what they were doing – which invariably is allowing G-d to save all of humanity.

Pastor Dave