Christian Reflection and Prayer

Holy Wednesday

Scripture:

Read Luke 23:32-34.
TEXT: And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for
they know not what they do"
(see Luke 23:34).

Jesus is not going to die alone. Pilate ordered two
criminals to die with Him. When they finally reach the
execution site we read that Jesus is crucified
between the two. In that one word "crucified," the
Scriptures spare us the horrible details, and carry
forward Jesus' charge: "Do not weep for Me."

Now, as the climax of His suffering is reached and
incredible pain racks His body, the soldiers are casting
lots to divide His clothing. Jesus turns to His Father in
prayer. But once again He is not praying for Himself,
not seeking divine retribution on His foes, or even
justice for Himself-He is pleading with His Father to
forgive those who have put Him on this cross. They do
not know what they are doing.

But Jesus is not only praying for the Roman soldiers,
Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, the Jewish leaders, the
temple guard, Peter and Judas-He is praying for all the
people whose sins He is carrying, including you and me.
So often we commit our sins without giving a second
thought to the wrath we are incurring, or the sufferings
Jesus must endure to save us from them. We don't
know what we are doing either.

But God the Father can't simply ignore His wrath at our
sins. Nor can He pretend they never took place. His
holiness demands that sinners be punished. For the
Father to be able to forgive us, Jesus knows He must
suffer the torment of hell in our place. He asks His
Father to pour His fiery wrath on Him instead.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, in our sin we don't know what we are doing.
Yet You willingly took on Yourself our guilt and Your
Father's punishment. Make us aware of our guilt that we
may repent and trust You alone as our Savior. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)