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Commentaries
English
Luke
  
32There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death.33And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.34Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.


Men placed the Holy One of God at the lowest human level, and regarded him as a criminal among the criminals. The soldiers undressed him, who was despised and rejected by the society, threw him to the ground, and nailed his stretched hands and curved feet with rusty nails. Did you understand this statement? If you were there, what would you do? Would you cry out: "Stop! Crucify me instead of him, and let the Just One free. I am guilty, and he is the Holy One." Or would you stand beside the scene cold-heartedly, watching indifferently how they lifted up the loving Holy One upon the infamous cross that his hands and legs were about to be torn under the weight of his body, as if thousands of
Did Jesus curse those who put him to death? Did he condemn those who tormented him? No! But he prayed crying out for them. He knew himself as tied to the altar of the world, and recited, as the unique, worthy High Priest his intercessory prayer: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
Dear brother, meditate and worship, for Christ had overcome all our human kind in his suffering body. He did not think of himself, but denied his sufferings, thought of us, and suffered from God’s wrath on us. The Lamb of God lived and died for us, not for himself, mediating between us sinners and the Holy God.
He who was crucified called the great God his Father, knowing that he died according to his Father’s will, in harmony with his redemptive plan. He wanted nothing but the redemption of the world and the forgiveness of our sins. Undoubtedly, God heard his Son’s unique power, and forgave men all their sins at all times and in all places finally and forever. It is not necessary for Christ to die once again, for salvation had been made once and forever.
Then Jesus thought of you too, for you may be one of those who did not know what they did. Each one of your sins, lies, and impurities is transgression against the holy God who, in his eternal love, preferred not to destroy you, but to die himself instead of you. Open your eyes, and know your cross. The tree on which Christ was nailed is your accursed cross, you guilty and sinful. Christ died for you that you might be delivered from God’s punishment, be justified by his grace, and be sanctified by faith in his blood. Did you understand the meaning of the cross? Then worship to your Lord, and thank him for forgiving your sins throughout your life.

Prayer
O holy Redeemer, we commit our lives and our souls unconditionally to you, and thank you forever for your infinite love. You have saved us with your sufferings, and purified us with your precious blood. Fill us with your holiness, and anoint us with your love that we may not hate anyone, but forgive everyone all his faults to us, calling all men to reconcile with God in your cross.
Question
How did Jesus’ love appear at the hour of crucifixion?