THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do . . ." (Luke 23:34).

These words were spoken by Jesus from the cross. What an example for us! Jesus must have been suffering tremendous physical pain. Yet the inner pain must have far outweighed that pain that was in His body. Among those who cried, "Crucify Him, crucify Him," were those that He had ministered unto. Yet there had been no gratefulness on their part for the healing of their bodies, or whatever need had been met by Jesus.

Who was Jesus forgiving when He prayed that prayer? Surely all who were responsible for His death and had wronged Him in any way. Who was responsible for the death of Jesus?

Judas, the religious leaders, Pilate, the Roman soldiers, and many others--including you and I: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:5-6).

Because He has forgiven us, we can and must forgive others: "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you so also do ye" (Colossians 3:12-13).