A thought came to me last week. Perhaps, it’s more appropriate during Holy week; specifically, a Good Friday thought.
As Jesus hung on the cross, one of the Seven “Words” He said was, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. KJV. Certainly, “they” did not know what they were doing. The Chief Priests were trying to prevent a revolt leading to a Roman coup. The Sadducees were trying to shore up their theological position on the resurrection of the dead. The Pharisees were trying to instill “holiness” in all of Israel. Pontius Pilate was merely trying to weasel his way out of a bad situation. Herod Agrippa was trying to “pass the buck.” The Roman soldiers in the crucifixion squad of “hitmen” were just doing their duty. The citizens of Jerusalem were disappointed that, once again, another “messiah” had met his fate. The visitors in town for the Passover were just sorry that there was a disturbance during the festivities. The Eleven Disciples were just glad that it wasn’t them on a cross. Judas was – well, Judas wasn’t anything – except, perhaps dead. Yeah, nobody knew what they were doing, nobody except Jesus. He knew exactly what He was doing, and He forgave “they” all.
I wonder if today Jesus’ “cruxial” prayer might be different. If He were thinking about me – which He is – would His prayer be, “Father forgive him because he knows exactly what he is doing?” Everybody in the list of “usual suspects” delineated above missed the point – and the mark. Sometimes missing the point causes a bit of a misunderstanding. As the foreman says in “Cool Hand Luke, “What we got here is a ‘failure to communicate.”
But sometimes, missing the point gets innocent people killed. It killed Jesus (pretermitting the theological question of His Own Will – humor me, OK?) “They” did not have a New Testament and 2000 years of church history and teaching to guide them. I have no such excuse.
Do you ever have those days when you wonder if you, had you been in the sandals of one of the “usual suspects,” would have acted any differently? Would you have pled ignorance? Could you plead ignorance? Would you worry about it? Would you even care – on certain days, that is?
I’ve wrestled with those thoughts, and frankly, I don’t have a clue. But here’s the good part. It doesn’t matter. We all miss the Maker’s mark, and Jesus still prays for us, still cares for us, and would still give His life for us on Good Friday – or any Friday. That’s heavy (as we children of the 60s would say.)
Maybe I should just be grateful and say, “Thank You, Jesus” as many times as I can throughout this Passion Season – and throughout all seasons. Can I get a witness? (That’s a call for an “Amen” if you are one of my non-Pentecostal friends.)
So let it be written, so let it be done.
johnthebaptist15 