Tuesday; December 12
I can only imagine the words that typically accompanied the scene of a crucifixion. I figure there were all kinds of nasty interchanges between the accused and the executioner. It wouldn’t surprise me if there were pleading and protesting going on. The whole process must have been ripe with anger, fear and sorrow. Maybe that is why Jesus’ remarks surrounding His crucifixion were so incredible. The soldiers who nailed Him to the cross may have figured they had heard it all, “But Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.” (Luke 23:34). It’s not that the soldier didn’t know how to do his job, he just didn’t understand the implications of what was happening. He was killing the Son of God! Yet, the most compelling part of the story is that Jesus also did His job – He forgave the soldier without even being asked! As I think about this moment in history it challenges me to think