The Power Of Forgiveness In The Midst Of Pain

On the blood-stained hill of Calvary, while nailed to a cross between two thieves, Jesus opened His mouth—

not to curse His executioners, but to pray.

Not to cry out in hatred—but to pray:

Not to tear down-but to build up

Not to pull down-but to lift up

Not to make war-but peace

Not to establish hate-but love

Not to destroy-but to fulfill

Not to hinder-but to help

Not to bring tears-but to wipe them away

He says:

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

This is not just a statement—this is a revelation of divine mercy.

The first of Jesus’ seven last sayings from the cross is a profound declaration of grace, compassion, and the heart of the Gospel.

In this one sentence: we see who Jesus is, what His values are, and what He came to do.

There is a prayer in the midst of pain while he is in agony, in pain

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them…” — Luke 23:34

• Jesus is not speaking in a synagogue, during the time of praise and worship —but while hanging from nails, and His body broken and bruised.

• In the worst pain imaginable, He still turns His heart toward the Father and toward others.

• He does not ask for revenge, He does not call for a legion of angels—but He prays for forgiveness.

But what amazes me about this scene is, If Jesus could forgive while bleeding, why can’t we forgive while breathing.

He gives Forgiveness for the Undeserving

Jesus says “…forgive them…”

Who is “them”? Those that asked for Barabbas.

Who is them? The Roman soldiers who drove the nails.

Who is them? The crowd who shouted “Crucify Him.”

Who is them? The Pharisees who plotted His death.

Who is them? Even His disciples who abandoned Him.

What I see Jesus was doing here is He was providing a blanket of grace, wide enough to cover everyone that was present that day—and even for us today.

And what I have learned is Forgiveness is not about deserving; it’s about mercy.

Although sometime we might feel unworthy.

Sometimes we might think we’ve gone too far. But Jesus’ prayer says otherwise: he says Father forgive them.

Jesus shows us that forgiveness is available, even for those who put Him on the cross.

But he also displays they ignorance.

And before I go, I must tell you that Ignorance Does Not Eliminate Responsibility

He says “ forgive them for they know not what they do.”

•Jesus doesn’t say they are innocent—but He teaches us that they are ignorant. The word ignorant mean not knowing.

And what I found out is that ignorance does not remove they stain of guilt—but it does move God’s heart to mercy.

• They didn’t understand the full weight of what they were doing. They were crucifying the Son of God, the Lamb of Heaven, the Word made flesh.

There are many today who live in spiritual ignorance. Instead of condemning them, we must pray for them, teach them, and lead them to truth.

Jesus was giving us a template for Christian living.

   •   When we are wronged—forgive them.

   •   When we are misunderstood—pray for them.

   •   When others hurt us—respond with grace, not revenge.

   •   Forgiveness is not weakness—it’s divine strength.

Matthew 6:14-15 – “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you…”

Colossians 3:13 – “…forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel… even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

Conclusion:

From the very cross where He died, Jesus launched a wave of forgiveness that is still flowing today. His first words were not about pain, not about suffering—but it was about mercy.

And that same mercy is available to us:

   •   So If you’re bound by guilt—He says, “Father, forgive.”

   •   If you’ve gone astray—He says, “Father, forgive.”

   •   If you’ve failed again and again—He still says, “Father, forgive.”

I’m reminded of a story

There was once a man named Samuel who had spent over 20 years in prison for a crime he committed in his youth. He had stolen, lied, and in the process, hurt many people—including his own mother. The night before he was arrested, he had an argument with her, screaming that he never wanted to see her again. He left her crying on the porch. She died a year later. He never got to say he was sorry.

For 20 years, he carried the guilt like a chain around his heart.

In prison, an old chaplain gave him a Bible. Samuel refused it at first, angry at the world and even angrier at God. But one cold night, feeling more alone than ever, he opened it and saw something fall out. It was a letter.

The chaplain had found it years ago, tucked into the pages by Samuel’s mother. Somehow, it had ended up in this Bible. It was yellowed and fragile, and in her handwriting it said: