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. Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:33-34 KJV)

On Good Friday, we remember our Savior suffering and dying on our behalf. But his work did not start then. The seed of our salvation was planted at the dawn of humanity, blossomed in a manger in Bethlehem, matured in Nazareth, and lived through obscurity, poverty, persecution, and humiliation. 

Jesus’ journey eventually led him into the jaws of prophecy, as the King of Glory took the hill of Calvary, dying there for you and me. On Calvary, our Savior descended to a hell of affliction, dishonor, and torment to save us from the hell we deserved. 

Jesus did all of this not only for disciples who should have understood, but for those who heaped pain upon him. For them, too, he prayed, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.”

That prayer would have been pitiably futile were Calvary the end of Jesus. But Good Friday is not the end of his story! Jesus now reigns as our Risen Lord, having rescued those who believe he suffered to pay for their sins and rose to save them from the pains of hell forever.

If you think such grace could not possibly apply to you, remember the prayer he made for his tormenters: “Father, forgive them.” He not only made the prayer; he gives the pardon for those who sin is as great – or greater – than yours. Believe the pardon is for you, and it is! 

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for dying the death that I deserve to provide the grace I could not earn. When I doubt the sufficiency of your grace, remind me of your prayer for pardon and the heart that makes it available by my faith in you.