“There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And 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. Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”. (vs32-34)
The grace and mercy of God are displayed miraculously in Christ. We have rejected Him – both Pilate with the Gentiles and Herod with the Jews. Scripture says, “Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other”. We ourselves chanted, “Away with this Man, and release to us Barabbas”, and we SINNED against all light. Yet, He says, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”. He is GRACIOUS beyond comprehension, and we must STOP believing that we're saved because we're good or have anything to contribute; we're saved FREELY by the grace of God, as grace abounds much more than our sin. Romans 5 says, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly... But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him”, and again, “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”.
Don't be foolish and think of your sins are more than grace, as if what you've done is worse than can be healed by Christ, as if what He's done is too tiny for your sin; it cannot be. The blood of Jesus Christ, the Perfect One, cleanses us from all sin, so that we can receive every grace freely. God doesn't call us to be what we are not, which is sinners; He demands that we admit our errors are grievous and receive His grace as glorifying to God, His GIFT of eternal life. You may have this FREELY, which is the only way, AFTER you REALIZE that we CANNOT pay a dime, a penny, or one thing. Luke 7 says, “And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both” (vs42).
One thing that helps me tremendously is realizing I'm sinful and depraved, dark and ruined, so that I do not look to myself or expect anything from myself. Scripture says, “And they all cried out at once, saying, Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas – who had been thrown into prison for a certain rebellion made in the city, and for murder... they shouted, saying, 'Crucify Him, crucify Him... and [Pilate] released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will”. This isn't a license to sin; it is the freedom of grace; it isn't a way to get over on God; it is the way to get from God what you need as poor and helpless, depending upon nothing but His goodness to the OBVIOUSLY depraved and destitute. Look at Him! Behold the Son of Man in His glory pardoning sinners by their unjust murder of His Person! He is loving to the hateful and the unworthy, and if this is you, if you're guilty of the crime, then Christ DID your time in punishment, bore away your sins, and earned every blessing of grace, every promise, and EVERYTHING that you need. He said, “Father, forgive them”, not, “Make them earn”, or, “Bless them when they improve”. No, no longer see your sin only, but SEE God's grace much greater, covering your sins, and walk in the merit of Christ entirely, instead of any greatness or standing in self. This will produce freedom and love, whereby you'll serve and honor God.
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