DAILY?READINGS: Gen. 43; Psalms 20-21; Matt. 25:1-30
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34
David Smith wrote, “It is usual for the victims of that dread doom, frenzied with pain to shriek, entreat, curse and spit at the spectators.” But what did Jesus do? He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” In all of His suffering the Saviour was conscious of His Sonship, as He cried, “Father.” He had an unshakeable confidence in His mission, even as He was sinking into the deepest abyss of sorrow and pain, for He prayed, “forgive them.” There He paid the full debt of our sin and here today, as we worship, we can thank Him again for the wondrous words, “Father, forgive them.” —Jim Comte
No word of anger spoke He to them that shed His blood,
But prayer and tenderest pity large as the love of God.
—C. Alexander