The Lord Jesus spoke seven sayings from the cross. The first was to a prayer for those responsible for having him crucified. Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." It was a prayer for God's covenant people, a prayer that he would not cause fire to come and consume them, as happened to Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10). A prayer that the earth would not swallow them up, as happened to Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Num 16). A prayer that God would show mercy and be long-suffering, when dealing with those who crucified his dearly loved Son.

The people of God certainly deserved his wrath to be poured out upon them. When Pilate examined the charges brought against Jesus, he found Jesus not guilty of any of them. He knew Israel's leaders had handed Jesus over because of envy. He tried to secure Jesus' release, yet the people cried, "Crucify him, crucify him!" Pilate washed his hands in front of them, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood." The people responded: "Let his blood be on us and our children" (Matt 27:25). They took responsibility for Christ's death. If Christ was wrongly condemned, then they were guilty of murder, and would deserve the penalty for murder. They and their children would come under God's curse.

Although the people are responsible for shedding his blood, Christ prays for them. He does so because they don't know what they're doing. The people were unaware that they were crucifying the Lord of glory (1 Cor 2:8), the Prince of life (Acts 3:15), the Messiah whom God sent to redeem them. If they had knowingly and will-fully put Jesus to death, their condemnation of the Saviour would have led to their eternal death. Yet because they were blind and ignorant, Christ prays for them.

Why didn't Christ just forgive them? There were times during his ministry when he forgave sinners. So why pray for the Father to forgive them? The primary reason is that before forgiveness can be given, there needs to be repentance. The Scriptures teach that forgiveness requires an acknowledgment of sin, and repentance from it. The people who crucified the Lord couldn't receive forgiveness until they recognized their sin and repented from it.

From this we see what Christ is really praying for. He prays for a reprieve, for the Father to withhold judgment from those who crucified him. He prays that his murderers may come to see that they crucified the Messiah. Christ is asking his Father to give them time to realize their sins, to confess them, and to repent from them. He is praying for time, so God's people may come to know him as their Saviour and King.

God answered Jesus' prayer. He didn't immediately bring judgment from heaven on those who crucified his Son. On Pentecost, Peter preached about how God's people, with the help of wicked men, put Jesus to death by nailing him to a cross (Acts 2:23). Yet God raised him from the dead and made him Lord and Christ. Hearing this, the people were cut to the heart and asked what they should do. Pater encouraged them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins.

Acts 2 says that on Pentecost, many repented and believed. About 3000 people were saved on that day alone, a number that quickly grew to about 5000. And Acts 6:7 records that "a large number of priests became obedient to the faith." Not just the common people, but many of the priests who formerly opposed Jesus came to the faith! So we see that the Father heard Christ's prayer, and in his grace he brought many to repentance and forgiveness.

God's grace is still being applied to us today. When we fall into sin, God is merciful and long-suffering. Instead of immediately punishing us and bringing the judgment we deserve, God gives time to repent. Our calling is to recognize our sins, to humble ourselves before God in repentance, and to seek forgiveness in the blood of our Saviour. We may have loved ones who have strayed from God's Word and will; while they still live, we may pray for them. There are also many in society who walk in darkness. Let it be our prayer that our merciful Father would grant them a reprieve, so they have time to repent and believe the gospel.

The glorious message of Good Friday is that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of all his people. His first words spoken from the cross show his willingness to forgive our sins. God does not desire the death of the sinner, but that he turns from his wicked way and lives! (Ezek 33:11; 2 Pet 3:9)