This post is part of a 40-day journey following Jesus in his prayer life. We’ll explore virtually every reference in the Gospels to Jesus and prayer. For a more in-depth treatment, see my book Prayers from the Pit.
“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. Elsewhere, Jesus has elsewhere demonstrated how to do this—lamenting about the cup of suffering. The non-natural reaction in times of pain is to pray about others, those whom we love. Jesus has also demonstrated how to do this—praying earlier for his disciples even as he faces death. 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 grander sign of spiritual maturity than to intercede for people who have injured us.
Have you been injured? Was there someone responsible for that pain—a child, a parent, a spouse, a former friend, a boss, a coworker, a classmate, a teacher, or a stranger? Bring that person to mind. Picture him/her. Recall the hurt, the disappointment, or the frustration that person brought into your life. Now, repeat after Jesus: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
