Daily Devotions
April 13th, 2017 by Pastor SolleyLuke 23:33-34 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
KJV
There were many firsts at Calvary that day and one of them is the prayer offered by Jesus for His Father to forgive those who were putting Him to death that day. But what was Jesus really praying for? What it a blanket forgiveness for all who had part in condemning Him to death? Forgiveness for Rome, for Pilate, for the Jewish council, for the soldiers, was that what Jesus was praying for? No. Was it blanket forgiveness for all of mankind to the point that His death would automatically save everyone? No. What was Jesus praying for? I believe Jesus was praying that those ones that day be given space to repent, given time to come to a saving knowledge of Christ, given opportunity to be saved. That prayer was answered a short time later by the way. (Luke 23:39-43 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.) And it is still being answered today each time a lost sinner repents and turns to Jesus Christ. No prayer of Jesus ever went unanswered and if Pilot, the soldiers, the Jews on the council were never saved it was not the fault of Jesus of the Father, they were given space, give time to repent.