Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified – one on his right and one on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. -Luke 23: 32-34

Scripture says that when Jesus gave up His spirit and died on the cross, the curtain of the sanctuary split in two, the earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened.

And it was at that point that the Roman officer and the soldiers declared that Jesus truly was the Son of God.

But those soldiers should’ve stopped in their tracks when they heard Jesus ask God to forgive them.

Because any other human being just wouldn’t have been capable of doing that as they were being tortured and killed.

Even King David, God’s right-hand man, wasn’t that righteous. Throughout the book of Psalms, we see him asking God to punish and silence his enemies.

But Jesus’ ability to see far above the earthly perspective in the midst of unfathomable suffering and hate is solid proof that He’s the Son of God.

Even in His dying moments, with people callously gambling for His clothes right in front of Him, He was still teaching love and forgiveness.

How profound is that?!

So when we feel attacked and mistreated, we should seriously consider how Jesus prayed for His murderers right after He was nailed to the cross.

He did it because He knew He was going to be with God and they were headed for a place so terrible, that it was beyond their comprehension.

When we know without a shadow of a doubt that we are true followers of Christ, we know that He’s prepared a place for us in God’s eternal kingdom, and nobody can take that away from us, no matter how badly they treat us.

Instead of nursing hurt feelings, we should practice seeing people from a godly perspective, ask God to forgive them, and pray that they accept Christ into their hearts.

Because the mistreatment we receive from people is nothing compared to the glory that awaits us.

Be blessed,

Alexia

Prayer: God, right now I pray that you would forgive everyone who has hurt me in my life. I recognize that they hurt me because they didn’t understand what they were doing. I pray that they would accept Christ into their hearts so they too can be granted eternal life in your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.