“Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 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. And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do’” (Lk. 23:32-34 ESV).
This intercessory prayer represents the height of prayer. There is no other prayer in Scripture that demonstrates the level of maturity and compassion found here. If prayer is a ladder, this one is the top rung. If prayer is a building, this is the top floor. If prayer is a mountain, this is the peak.
When despair and darkness hit, the natural reaction is to pray about ourselves and our pain. Jesus has elsewhere demonstrated how to do this. The non-natural reaction in times of pain is to pray about others, those whom we love. Yet the supernatural reaction is to pray for the very people responsible for our pain. That is what Jesus does here. He takes prayer to its greatest height. There is no greater sign of spiritual maturity than to intercede for people who have injured us.
Bring to your mind someone who has hurt you, disappointed you, or caused you some pain. Now, repeat after Jesus: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
