God's Love and Forgiveness Demonstrated

What is your reaction when someone horribly wrongs you? It might be a verbal attack, a physical, professional, emotional, or relational one. Whatever kind of wrong it is, what is your first reaction?.

If you are a normal human, the first reaction is along the lines of anger, a desire to “get even”, lashing out at your attacker, or something like that. That is why I find Jesus’ reactions during the attacks against him so interesting. He never reacted like we would!

Peter did, he pulled out a sword and cut off Malchus’ ear in his attempt to fight back. Jesus, however, calmly tells Peter to stop and heals Malchus. With this act of healing, Jesus sets the tone for the rest of his actions.

As I read the accounts of the Passion in the Gospels, I never see Jesus act in an angry or vengeful way. Instead, through all the beatings, scourging, and all the intense physical pain he never lashes out. Nor does he through the mocking with its attendant emotional pain. He could have ended it at any moment. I know this because he said in the Garden, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” {Matthew 26:53} One word and all his tormentors would be eliminated, but he never uttered it!

This culminates in his first statement from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” {Luke 23:34} Instead of calling down the righteous wrath of God on those who are killing him, he asks for mercy and forgiveness instead.

But, who is he forgiving? Many people assume it is the Roman soldiers. They are carrying out orders and have no idea of the enormity of their sin here. Others include the crowd, stirred up by the Priests, who are similarly ignorant of the nature of their sin. This interpretation is also in line with the Old Testament that has a sacrifice for sins committed in ignorance. {Exodus 21:12-13; Numbers 15:22-29}

Because of the fact that in the Mosaic Law there is no sacrifice for intentional – deliberate sin {Exodus 21:14; Numbers 15:30-31} some exclude the Sanhedrin from this plea for mercy. While I agree with the Old Testament on the awful and horrible nature of deliberately, defiantly, and rebelliously refusing to obey God’s will, I think Jesus might have included them in this plea too. His whole ministry shows a tremendous amount of mercy as well as judgment.

Of course for that forgiveness to happen the people involved have to repent and confess. An example of this is that when Stephen was stoned to death {Acts 7:54-60} he made a similar plea. Later Saul repented and experienced the enormity of God’s forgiveness.

This plea shows us what was in Jesus’ heart as he was assaulted physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It was love and mercy toward us not anger, hatred or revenge. In fact it is the greatest demonstration of this teaching possible, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” {Matthew 5:44}

As I prepare for Easter and meditate in this, I realize that this is how I should be. The attitude Jesus Christ so powerfully demonstrated should also be in my life. It causes me to realize how far we all have to go. I start to realize this request, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” was for you and me too.

Really think about how much God loves you, forgives you, and wants you to be like him!

Written by Rev. Daniel Baker March 2004



Articles by Rev. Daniel B. Baker :: Webmaster: Joseph I. Baker