When Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” He was not just referring to those standing around as He hung dying on that cross. He was referring to all those who would subsequently consider who He is. He was praying for all people throughout the years, the centuries and the millennia who would ignore Him, scoff at Him, and reject Him.
He was praying for me. He was praying for my ignorant, wayward, foolishly unconcerned heart towards Him. He was praying for my misconceptions about Him. He was praying for my indifference. He was praying for my powerlessness against the deception of Satan. He was praying for my rejection of Him as the Savior of the world.
I am forever grateful to Jesus for that prayer because a day came when my eyes were opened, and I saw who it was that was crucified all those years ago. I saw the Person, not a religion. I saw acceptance, not judgment. I saw love, not condemnation. I saw freedom, not oppression. I saw a Savior, not a tyrant. I saw what He came to do not just “for the world” but for me.
So, this morning I prayed for those in my relationship sphere, my friends, my family, my fraternity brothers, my neighbors, my Facebook associates all who have not yet seen Jesus for who He truly is, all who have not yet become a part of His forever family. My prayer was not an original one; it was a repeat of a one-sentence prayer from many years ago: Father, forgive them, for [as it was once true of me,] they do not know what they are doing.
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