I can remember when our first daughter Lynsey was born. My wife Evelyn and I immediately felt the joy of bringing a new child into the world, but also the deep anxiety of not knowing what to do next. There are no instructions or blueprints that come with a baby and, if truth be told, most parents wing it on a daily basis. Every child is different and each one has their unique personality. However, what works for one baby will not necessarily work for another child. We learned this when our second daughter Lauren was born two years later. We soon realized that almost everything we learned with the first child was not applicable with the second.
Not knowing what to do because of inexperience happens to everyone. For instance, when we first learn to drive, we have to be taught what to do step by step, gear by gear, and street by street. We can’t suddenly take the car keys at the age of sixteen and fully expect to drive immediately. We have to learn what we’re doing; we have to know where we’re going; and we have to focus on how fast we are moving. To get in a car and drive without knowing the basics is just asking for trouble.
Crucifying the Christ, the Holy Son of God, was the ultimate act of human ignorance. The people had seen and experienced Christ’s ministry. They had heard His teaching and were astounded at His miracles. Jesus had brought them closer to God than any other prophet or religious leader in their history, but they still stubbornly ignored the Truth He proclaimed by casting aside His ways for their own understanding and choosing to take His life rather than changing their own. Some thought that they were getting rid of another false messiah, a theological troublemaker, and a religious rabble rouser, but what they were actually doing – and we would have done the same - was foolishly and selfishly killing the Son of God.
Jesus could have retaliated and called down a thousand angels to protect Him. God could have stopped the crucifixion at any moment and also destroy all Jerusalem. However, instead of reacting with judgment and wrath, Christ called for gentleness and redemption. Instead of punishment and destruction, Christ prayed for peace and deliverance. In all of the history of humankind, one of the most wicked and inhumane sins occurred at Calvary, but in the history of all Creation, Christ turned His execution into the most divine and gracious act of mercy humanity has ever known, by expressing these beautiful words: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we confess to being foolish, careless, and selfish at times. We sometimes deliberately choose to do what is wrong and willfully ignore Your words and ways. Have mercy upon us; forgive our past mistakes and restore us to God’s favor and everlasting love. In Your Name, we pray. Amen.
Pastor John
