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Luke 23:32-34a
In this passage we find out that two others were crucified with Jesus. These two were crucified one to the left of Jesus, and the other to the right of Jesus (Luke 23:32-33). Then, Jesus makes a statement – a prayer to His Father in heaven; to forgive those who are responsible for His crucifixion, for they do not know what they are truly doing (Luke 23:34a).
This is a perfect example of Jesus being and living what He preached; to be forgiving of all.
Jesus came to teach forgiveness, which is the backbone of salvation in Him. He was the perfect representation of what He preached. He came to save the world from sin, death, and the grasp of Satan. He taught to have forgiveness and love for our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48) and in Luke 23:34a He exemplifies this love – for even our enemies. If Jesus can forgive those who persecuted, tried, and convicted Him to death, so we should strive to imitate Him and be forgiving of others who have hurt us. We, as Christians, are the representatives of Jesus in the world today, but we must continually seek His guidance to be the representatives that He desires of us. This is to include a daily study of His Word, a personal prayer time with Him in seeking His guidance for our lives, and fellowship with others in sharing our testimony and being an encouragement to each other and hopefully leading the lost to Him to begin a new relationship with Him.
Dear Lord,
Jesus did not just preach a good message, He lived it. He is the example that we all should be striving to imitate, knowing that He is perfect and we are not, but that through Him and seeking Your will for our lives we may find perfection in Him. Please help us to be good representatives of our Savior Jesus in showing Your love and forgiveness in our lives that You would be glorified through us. In Jesus name I pray, amen.