Red-Letter DayUzorak

As Jesus hung on the cross, He endured such pain and such humiliation that we simply cannot comprehend all of it. Not only did He endure physical pain, but He also endured emotional and spiritual pain as He took on the sins of all mankind so we could be free. Luke 23 tells us Jesus endured this torment between two criminals and in front of His accusers. He suffered in front of the Roman soldiers that humiliated and beat Him.

As Jesus looked down on these people that were full of hate and jealously, the first words He said from the cross were some of the most life-changing words He had ever spoken, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” Instead of being full of anger or resentment, Jesus asked God to forgive them. According to the Bible, this simple prayer was very significant. Isaiah 53:12 shows that Jesus fulfilled a 700-year-old prophecy through this prayer. Jesus also modeled the importance of prayer at this moment on the cross. Jesus opened His public ministry with prayer and now He was ending it with prayer—once again praying for the most unlikely of people. Jesus could have prayed for many things, but in this moment Jesus revealed man’s greatest need: the forgiveness of sin. That’s why Jesus came. He came so that we could have life.

As you pray and reflect on these Scriptures, ask yourself: What does Jesus’ sacrifice mean to you and how has it changed you?