Father, forgive them ...

"He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12).

We rejoice in the fact that Jesus took our sins upon Himself so that we might receive salvation from Him - and we also hear the prayer that He prayed when He was on the Cross: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:24). In this prayer, we hear His words of love, and we see His heart of love. He loved those who crucified Him - and He loves us. Our sin is great - but His love is greater than our sin. In this prayer for forgiveness, the love of Jesus, our Saviour, is reaching out to us, calling us to receive his love, calling us to be changed by His love.