Luke 23:34 “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.

” Who do you pray for most?

When things are going well there is probably a long list. When you are tired or busy you probably
have a shorter list of real needs and closer personal concerns. When life is at its hardest I guess most
of your prayers are for yourself, although you can perhaps spare a prayer for your family or a close
friend in great need. But when Jesus’s life was almost at an end, when the pain was worst, Jesus
didn’t pray for his mother Mary watching nearby. He didn’t pray for his dear disciples Peter James
and John. Jesus didn’t pray for the church which would come into being as a result of His death. At
that moment of agony instead we find Jesus praying for His enemies. And not praying in revenge that
God’s judgement and punishment would fall on those who were torturing and executing Him. But
praying for their forgiveness! “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” Praying
for His enemies! We have a lot to learn from our Lord Jesus Christ about praying for our enemies.
And it all comes from this:- God changes enemies into friends This is what the cross is all about. One
man who was innocent dying in the place of those who were guilty. Luke 23:39 One of the criminals
who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other
criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We
are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing
wrong.” Everybody who puts their trust in Jesus’s death and resurrection can know forgiveness of
sins and the certainty of eternal life. We can share that wonderful promise, “Today you will be with
me in Paradise.” So it is no coincidence that the place where we find Jesus praying for His enemies is
indeed the cross. Father forgive them. Punish me instead of them. Accept my death instead of theirs.