The Lord Jesus, is yet again revealed as the pardoning Savior, who, even though He hung on the cursed tree, He
prayed on behalf of His enemies, with words marked by graciousness, sympathy and sincerity. C.H. Spurgeon: -
"WHAT tenderness we have here; what self-forgetfulness; what almighty love! Jesus did not say to those
who crucified him, "Begone!" One such word, and they must have all fled. When they came to take him in
the garden, they went backward, and fell to the ground, when he spoke but a short sentence; and now
that he is on the cross, a single syllable would have made the whole company fall to the ground, or flee
away in fright…. Jesus says not such a word in his own defense…. " …there is no prayer against them
in the words that Jesus utters. …. He pleads for his murderers, "Father, forgive them."
Despite their Ignorance and their Indifference were displayed, the Lord's Intercessory Prayer Answered –
in the conversion of the centurion, one of the thieves that hang on the cross. After the Lord's ascension to
heaven, came the conversion of three thousand souls – Acts. 2ff till today, as many presently as saved,
because Christ prayed "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do". These, were words of
sincerity. |
