As the Roman soldiers hoisted the cross, with Jesus nailed to it, the Son of Man was being lifted up and he was drawing all humanity to himself (John 12:32).
The crucifixion was designed to be a slow and painful method of execution, and it was common for those condemned to die on the cross to live for several days. We know that Jesus, and his condemned companions, were on the cross only a few hours. But for those hours, Jesus was conscious and even spoke. He spoke to his mother and her companions. He spoke to one of the condemned thieves. On the cross he prayed. Many condemned persons have recited desperate prayers as death approached. But Jesus’ prayer was different. Jesus, “God with us,” prayed a prayer of intercession: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
I’ve often wondered what Jesus saw as he hung, lifted high, upon that cross. We know from the witness of the Gospels that there were many people in the proximity of Calvary. First, the Roman soldiers dedicated to their grim task mocked and tormented the condemned “king of the Jews.” They were officers of the Empire; an empire that was ruthless in its oppression of its conquered peoples. With a cold, callous determination they nailed Jesus to the cross and then cast lots for his clothing. As Jesus heard their taunts and looked into their faces, he prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
From the cross Jesus saw some of the Jewish rulers responsible for his condemnation as they visited Calvary for a final confrontation. They sneered at the thought that he might be considered the “king of the Jews.” They looked up into the face of Jesus and incited the crowds with the words, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself… let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him” (Matthew 27:42). They had sought his death and now they were glad to be rid of him. As they passed by, Jesus looked down and prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Jesus did not see his disciples from the cross. According to the witness of the Gospels, only one of the Twelve was present. The others were scattered, running for their lives, hiding in fear. No more bold proclamations of faith. Judas had betrayed him. Peter had thrice denied him. Jesus had been abandoned by his friends. But he prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
As Jesus lifted his head he could see the city of Jerusalem. Just a few days before, this city had greeted him with the words, “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” But the human heart is fickle. Days later the crowds of Jerusalem gathered and cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” As Jesus carried the cross through the streets of the city many men, women, and children witnessed the grizzly scene, but few had mercy. From Jerusalem many of the people could see Jesus hanging on the cross. Some of the people even came to Calvary to gawk and mock him. Their priest/king prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
As Jesus looked beyond Jerusalem to the horizon, he may have began to see in the prophetic Spirit. With the eyes of the Prophet, Jesus peered into the ages. He saw centuries of human violence – wars of conquest and rebellion, even wars of religion fought in his name. He saw the wars and violence of the twentieth century – 10 million Russian citizens slaughtered by the Bolsheviks, 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis, the Armenian genocide, and the killing fields of Cambodia. He saw the wars of terror that inaugurated the twenty-first century. With his eyes filled with tears Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Jesus saw the millions of oppressed humanity – the poor, the prisoner, the hungry and homeless. He saw the many injustices of human society – slavery, sex trafficking, child abuse and neglect, the subjugation of women, and the abortion of millions of human babies. With a grieved heart Jesus moaned, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
The preacher of Hebrews wrote, “Jesus… holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:24-25). Offering himself as an eternal sacrifice, Jesus prayed for the reconciliation and redemption of all humanity. Because of the Father’s love the Son was given so that the Spirit may draw sinful humans into the life of God. Paul declared, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The Spirit of grace prepares our sinful heart so that we may respond to the call to repentance. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). There is no one so evil, or sinful, that they are beyond the reach of God’s grace because Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
