The bible tells us the story of Jesus of Nazareth. While Jesus was here on this Earth he made several extraordinary claims. One of the most extraordinary is found in the book of John.
John 14:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Jesus claims that he is the only way for any of us to get to know our Father in heaven. This is a claim that cannot be taken lightly. All of us must decide what to do with such a statement. We will either have to accept it or reject it.
This boldness did not endear Jesus to the religious leaders of the day. It offended them because it challenged their authority and threatened their power. Their fear drove them to conspire to have him put to death.
And die he did. He was crucified on a Roman cross.
While Jesus hung on that old rugged cross he uttered the following words shortly before life left his body:
Luke 23:34 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
…“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
Think about that for just a moment. His beaten, bruised, and bloody body is a public spectacle. As the weight of his body pressed in against his lungs and he continually gasped for air, we could have expected him to curse those that stood and watched. Or at least the Roman guards that had mocked him, beat him, spat on him, and gambled for his clothes.
But instead, he cried out to God above to plead for mercy. He literally prayed that God would forgive them for their ignorance.
I don’t know about you, but I find it easier to accept the word of a man that says he is the way to God when he asks God to forgive and not punish those that have crushed him physically and emotionally.
This prayer reveals the character and integrity of Jesus’ heart. This Easter his prayer echoes in the Father’s ear. “Forgive them for they do not know what they do.”
Whether you accept Jesus’ claim or not, that he is the only way to get to know God, he prays God’s mercy for you. May you realize the extent of his love.
Written by Larry Westfall. Copyright © Finding Wonder 2016.
