The seven words of Christ on the cross each have a powerful and deeply meaningful message to share. Each of those seven words holds such rich spiritual depth and speak of different aspects of Christ’s love, suffering, mission, and triumph.
The first word—"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34)—is a deep well of grace and compassion, and it sets the tone for the rest of the seven last words.
The First Word – Forgiveness
Scripture: Luke 23:34 – "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Beloved, as we gather at the foot of the cross, we hear Jesus speak—not words of anger, not cries of vengeance, not bitterness or blame—but a prayer of forgiveness. In the very moment of His greatest suffering, Jesus looks upon those who have pierced His hands, mocked His name, and sentenced Him unjustly, and He says, "Father, forgive them."
Let that sink in.
In agony, Jesus teaches us the greatest lesson of love: forgiveness in the face of pain.
It is easy to forgive when the offense is small, when the wound is shallow. But here, Jesus shows us a divine kind of forgiveness—the kind that reaches out while the nails are still fresh in His hands, while the insults are still echoing in His ears. He forgives in the midst of the hurt.
And He doesn't just forgive them—He forgives us.
We are all part of the crowd at the cross. Every sin, every moment we turned away, every time we chose self over sacrifice—Jesus saw it all. Yet still, He said, "Father, forgive."
That is the power of the cross.
Forgiveness is not about forgetting the pain—it’s about choosing grace over grievance, mercy over memory, and healing over hate. Jesus calls us not just to receive His forgiveness but to live it out.
Who do you need to forgive today?
What wounds are you still carrying that Christ already carried for you?
Let the first word of Jesus be your first step—toward peace, toward healing, toward new life.
Because the cross isn't the end of the story. It’s the beginning of forgiveness.
Image with thanks to sdbinc.org
With thanks to youtube
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