And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luk 23:34 ESV)
Cause and Effect
Recently, I had a painful infection. It was not visible to the casual observer, but on one particular day it seemed that everyone was bumping it, scraping it, and hurting it.
My eyes flared as the most recent culprit caused my nerves to flame, and he apologized quickly. “I’m sorry… I did not know…”
And I ALMOST blurted out, “Ignorance is no excuse!” I am glad I held my tongue for two reasons. First, it would have been a misquote. And secondly… Christ’s example shows us a better path.
He hung there, up on our cross, unjustly pained, tortured, and despised on His people’s behalf. If sinners’ awareness were a necessary part of the forgiveness process, we would expect Him to righteously snarl,
“your ignorance is a FURTHER sin!”
“This sacrifice would help you wicked murderers if only you acknowledged what you were doing.”
“My blood would count as your payment to God’s Justice if you even BEGAN to confess!”
But He did not say those things.
They did not even know their sin… and He asked the Father to forgive them.
They did not even know what sin WAS… and He asked the Father to forgive them.
They believed they were doing the right thing, horrible though it was… and He asked the Father to forgive them.
Theologically, Jesus was correct, of course. Because His forgiveness is what would LEAD to their repentance, confession, and conversion.
We do not repent, and thus find forgiveness.
He forgives, and He changes us so that we repent.
And we get to do the same thing. Rather than carry our anger, disappointment, and grudges, we can imitate Jesus…
… and forgive. For they do not know what they do.