Luke 23:33-38
Jesus Forgive Those Who Would Hang Him on the Cross
33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
Before Jesus went to the cross He knew He would be mocked, flogged, and tortured...It happened that His judge and jury was Pilate...Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged...The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his Head...They clothed Him in a purple robe and went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”...And they slapped Him in the face...When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left...Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”...And they divided up His garments by casting lots...
Priest Brennan Manning wrote, “This is the God of the Gospel of Grace...A God who, out of LOVE for us, sent the Only Son He ever had wrapped in our skin...He learned how to walk, stumbled and fell, cried for His milk, sweated blood in the night, was lashed with a whip and showered with spit, was fixed to a cross, and died whispering forgiveness on us all.”...