The Holy week part 4

What have we seen, what marvels have our eyes looked upon and what wonders have altered our minds and renewed our hearts? The Christ, creator of Heaven and Earth is hung on a Cross along with common thieves, likened to a common thief but despised by those in the world even more so. Darkness abounds on earth as the sun has hidden itself in shame, darkness is parading unashamedly in the spiritual realm believing it has ridden the world of the Son, but darkness is labelled as such because it cannot see, although it resides in the spiritual realm it can by no means comprehend the light.

Hung on a Cross, naked and humiliated, through much agony and anguish our Lord still manages to inspire and guide us onto a virtuous path, as if to say that being hung on the Cross isn't sufficient a lesson in humility, He astonishes those who ridicule Him by murmuring "Father forgive them, they know not what they do" Luke 23:34. Left desolate and ashamed, He portrays true virtue and displays sincere love by asking His Father to forgive them this most grievous of sin. "Father forgive them, they know not what they do", what is it that these men and women know not? Isn't it clear that their actions condemn them? Although they are physically responsible for the events unfolding, our Lord is able to see that there is in fact more to the story and this is why He utters "they know not what they do".

Jesus being perfect God and perfect Man was aware that every evil being that dwelt within the spiritual realm were influencing these people whose eyes were blinded and ears were shut.  Jesus in His humanity was suffering incomprehensibly, His Divinity was fully aware, alive and functioning (from everlasting to everlasting) and ultimately His loving compassion for those being led astray by satan was the motive for His request to the Father.

Woe unto us if we cannot forgive those for the slightest of offences, consider that when Christ spoke "forgive them Father, they know not what they do" that His request was also on our behalf and for our benefit, for we too, openly put Christ to shame with our many sins and transgression. For each of us was responsible for Christ's crucifixion, as we read in Romans 5 -

6For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For one will hardly die for a wicked man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Therefore consider the implications of your actions should you not forgive those who offend you, considering that we were partakers of the injustice which occurred at Golgotha. It is written that only those who forgive shall receive forgiveness from the Father (Matthew 6:15) so be quick to reconcile with one another so that our Lord does not come at a time where hate is found dwelling in your heart. The Lord, with very few words, taught us that works of righteousness must overcome all darkness, all evil, all bitterness, all envy and all works of wickedness.

We will continue with the theme of the Holy Week God willing within the next week.

God bless.