9/19/2025 Daily Devotion: Father, Forgive Them.

Luke 23:34 ESV - And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” - Jesus

Jesus said these Words while He hung on the cross … betrayed, accused, cheated, attacked, defamed, mocked by these people that He came to save.

• He did not strike back … He prayed for their Forgiveness and then died so that Forgiveness would be freely available TO THEM.

And those people still exist. People today still betray, accuse, cheat, attack, defame & mock that same Jesus … and His response is the same … “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

As Christians today … we all were JUST LIKE the mobs at Jesus’ Crucifixion … we were dead in our trespasses; ENEMIES of God, Who created us and LOVES us, because we chose our pursuit of self over His Presence … we betrayed, accused, cheated, attacked, defamed & mocked Jesus through our selfish pursuits & sinful ways … your sin and my sin nailed Jesus to that cross … and His response is the same … “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” … and we accepted that Forgiveness.

• That is the only thing that separates a Christian from a non-Christian … ACCEPTANCE of the Forgiveness of God offered through Jesus’ Sacrifice on the cross … Jesus paid it all FOR ALL.

One of the most amazing aspects of accepting that Forgiveness is this … the Holy Spirit of God Himself comes to live WITHIN US! He brings the same Power that resurrected Jesus from the dead to live WITHIN US!

• So, with His Power active in our hearts & souls, may we treat this fallen world around us like Jesus does.

• Sin & brokenness all around us does not threaten us … it does not threaten our God.

May we avoid the temptation to strike back at the betrayal, accusations, cheating, attacking, defaming & mocking of Jesus that we see all around us … May we remember that but for the GRACE OF GOD we would be right there amongst the crowd … May we, instead, petition our God in Heaven for their SALVATION.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.