Luke 23:32-38
32 Now two others, who were criminals, were also being led away to be put to death with Him.
33 And when they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.
34 [But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”] And they cast lots, dividing His garments among themselves.
35 And the people stood by, watching. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”
36 The soldiers also ridiculed Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine,
37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!”
38 Now there was also an inscription above Him, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
The Prayer on the Cross
The meaning of the cross
There were different forms of crosses, such as one in a + shape, a T, an X, or a Y shape. At times, even a standing tree was used. Crucifixion was a form of execution designed to kill criminals in the most painful and humiliating way possible, serving as a public warning. However, all the Gospel writers, including Luke, focused not on describing the physical horror of the crucifixion, but on conveying its meaning. Therefore, we too must not merely grieve emotionally over Jesus’ death on the cross but strive to understand its true significance. That day, three crosses stood on Calvary. The cross of Jesus was in the center, with the crosses of two criminals on either side. This shows that Jesus died as one counted among criminals. The Apostle Paul expressed this truth in these words: “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). The meaning of the cross can be summarized in two points: (1) God made Him who knew no sin (Jesus) to be sin. (2) The death of Jesus was in our place, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. There is One who loved you enough to give His life for you. How does knowing this truth change the way you live?
The prayer on the cross
Furthermore, the meaning of the cross becomes even clearer through this prayer: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” This prayer was for (1) the Jewish leaders who demanded Jesus’ execution. Therefore, it is a great mistake to think that the Jewish people are cursed because they crucified Jesus. (2) This prayer was also for the Roman soldiers who carried out the execution. (3) Furthermore, it was for us, who have repeatedly committed acts that in effect crucify Jesus. Let us meditate on the meaning of this prayer of Jesus. It is not easy to forgive others, even for the smallest offenses. Yet Jesus offered an intercessory prayer for those who were trying to kill Him. When I was a junior in college, it was through this prayer that I decided to believe in Jesus. I became convinced that this could not be the prayer of a mere human but must be the prayer of the Son of God. How about you?
Today's prayer
Gracious God, I thank You for loving me so much that You gave Your Son Jesus to be crucified. I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I thank You that in Jesus I have become the righteousness of God. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.