The “Kernel of Truth” – a commentary article by Linda Letkemann

As I was reading Luke Chapter 23 the other day, a thought jumped out and hit me like a velvet brick in the head. This is the account of Jesus’ crucifixion, and as he hangs there in excruciating agony, he implores the Father in v34: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” I have always read that and pondered how great Jesus’ love must have been for those who had just crucified him, to say that at that moment. The thought that hit me though, was this: Do you think God forgave them? What do you think was happening with God the Father of his Son, right at that moment?

Jesus never said anything just for effect. He always meant everything he said.

God the Father would have had to have forgiven them, because right there before the Father and all the Host of Heaven, his Son, was dying on a cross for them. To not forgive them for this act would have meant Jesus’ death was ineffective for forgiveness for this act. Whether or not they received his forgiveness and Christ’s sacrifice for this sin, only God knows. The Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald states: “Who knows what a Niagara of divine wrath was averted by this prayer!” So, Jesus, even through agony, was not thinking of himself, but of 2 things: his “Abba” Father, his dad, and the people who had just crucified Him! Imagine if you will what you as a parent watching your child be tortured to death, would be feeling.

The Bible says that when we are in Heaven, we will experience no more tears, pain, sorrow, or grief. Not so with God. We are told all throughout the Word that God in Heaven has emotions like anger, grief, sorrow and pain. So it’s safe to assume that God the Father was experiencing emotions and feelings on a monumental scale we are unable to even fathom. In Luke 23:45, Luke says that: “the sun stopped shining.” We tend to adopt the movie version and envision clouds covering the sun, but this isn’t what the Bible says. It says that God wasn’t just lowering the lights, he shut them off to let us know somewhat of what was going on with Him. “darkness came over the whole land.” (v46) This was the time darkness reigned. The light and Light of the whole world was exiting. And here, his own Son, Jesus, dying in agony, asks his Father God to forgive the ones for not knowing what they were doing and to whom. He actually defends them! How great must his love be? And God the Father’s love, to not withhold the life of his only Son!

As we once again ponder this amazing love Jesus has for us, we need to also fully realize that we have something in common with the crucifiers: Although they were the agents through whom Christ was physically crucified, it was our sins that put him up there. It is indeed a revered moment when the full implications of just how much He loves us, sinks in to our consciousness. May it bring you to a fresh depth of gratitude. He died, for you. For me. And for, them.