Forgive Them

Justice or forgiveness? "I have my rights." "I demand justice." Forgiveness is weak; justice has teeth. Forgiveness dismisses the offense; justice avenges the offense. Forgiveness throws the offender on God's mercy; justice throws the offender into hell.

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34 One of the one-sentence prayers of Jesus' from the cross. Who is the "them" and "they'? Exactly who is being forgiven? Everyone who is killing Jesus.

The high priest, the Roman governor, Judas, the crowd crying for his blood, the eleven disciples who at his arrest ran like cellar rats. The Roman soldiers who carried out the execution and threw dice for his clothes. And don't forget ... me. And don't forget ... you. Is anyone exempt from the guilt of putting Jesus to death?

Did they know what they were doing? Jesus was tried on false charges. His arraignment, trial, torture, and execution were all based on false charges. Lies. The religious court and the secular court wedded together in the big lie to destroy an innocent life. But they didn't know they were executing God!

And what does Jesus do? He didn't demand justice; he absolved them of their quilt. He asked Papa-God to forgive them.

"Father, forgive them" overlooks "I have my rights! No one is going to push me around! I'll be damned if I'll be any one's doormat!"

So, which is it? Justice or forgiveness?

Justice is important. But forgiveness is more important. Justice rights wrongs, punishes criminals, keeps order. Forgiveness rains mercy, relieves guilt, releases sin. Forgiveness doesn't eliminate justice; it trumps justice. It walks alongside justice.

Forgiveness is not soft passivity. It takes guts to forgive. Forgiveness does not lessen the offense; it offers mercy to the offender.

Two condemned criminals were executed by crucifixion that Friday afternoon outside Jerusalem; one on either side of Jesus. One asked to be "remembered." Jesus said, "Yes!" The first person to recognize Jesus as Savior was a condemned criminal. Justice carried out his execution. Forgiveness changed his destination: "Today you will be with me in Paradise."