Jesus’ Merciful Prayer

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

Luke 23:34

It is hard enough to forgive those who offend and injure us, but it is even more difficult to forgive those who mock and taunt us when we’re suffering. Not realizing that Jesus was the Lord of glory, his unwitting opponents fulfilled the prophecies in the Scriptures by putting Jesus to death. Yet Jesus’ grace—his willingness to forgive— is evident even at the time when he was suffering the worst insults. Here, on the cross, we can see most clearly who Jesus is. His prayer, “Father, forgive them,” shows us divine love like nothing else can.

As followers of Christ, let us pray the same prayer for our own enemies.

• Lord Jesus, help me to forgive those who have wronged me . . .