Luke 23:34 (ESV)

Bible Commentary

Luke 23:34 is an important Bible verse and one of Jesus’ last statements before He went to be with His Father in Heaven.

In this verse we see the merciful and fiercely compassionate heart of Jesus toward all people. Even as the Roman soldiers were nailing Him to a cross, a vile and tortuous punishment, Jesus asked the Father to forgive them.

If the curtains of blindness had been pulled back from the eyes of those soldiers, they would have fallen on their knees trembling with a repentant and grievous heart. Jesus knew they didn’t know what they were doing.

Have your spiritual eyes ever seen the true majesty and glory of the Lord? It is beautiful and terrifying all at the same time. We truly don’t know what we do because of the blindness of our hearts. We are no different than the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus.

Even if the Lord has revealed Himself to us in times past and we know Who He truly is, we revert back to our human stance and behavior because we live in a human vessel. I get so frustrated with myself. I’m sure you can relate.

Praise the Lord, we can humble ourselves before the cross of Jesus and thank Him because He asked the Father to forgive us. Thank You, Lord Jesus!

God Answered

The most amazing thing about this whole verse is that God was answering Jesus’ prayer even as He was praying it. God the Father was providing the way for ALL people to be forgiven of ALL sins–past, present and future. The scene of that ugly, violent and cruel punishment that rocked Jesus’ inner circle of family and friends to the core, was actually a beautiful and merciful act of kindness from the Father.

Things were not as they appeared to our human eyes. There was a miraculous event occurring much deeper in the spiritual realm than we could not see with our humanness. It is the same today.

The power of Jesus’ blood redeems us and every act of cruelty and violence ever committed by human hands. His blood is more powerful than we have ever realized. It not only is the means by which we are forgiven, but it is a continual redeeming instrument used by the Father in the spiritual realm that weaves and moves constantly throughout the earth.

John 4:23-24

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. ²⁴ God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

God is spirit and so He operates in the spiritual world, which effects the physical world. But there is something we need to do.

Our Response and Responsibility

Let me draw your attention to the latter part of Luke 23:34.

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Immediately after Jesus prayed the most merciful prayer ever prayed, look what we as humans did. Our human hearts put more value on things, and so we cast lots to divide his garments. In other words, we compete with each other over inanimate objects–things that have no life or spirit.

The soldiers did exactly what our human hearts do today–the Lord of Heaven and earth was right in front of them, completely available to forgive, heal and transform their “ugly” into beautiful, but they looked right past all that He was and instead lusted after the tangible, His garments.

Oh Lord, forgive us!

Acts 8:22

Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

God the Father created a way for us to receive His mercy and kindness, which is all wrapped up in Jesus and the power of His blood. You see, we have a responsibility to respond to that amazing act of mercy and kindness.

Our Heavenly Father patiently and longingly waits for our response to His gift of the cross, the most merciful act of kindness and generosity we could ever imagine. Accept Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of love and mercy ever given.

The power of the blood is more than enough to cover you and cover me.

Father God, thank You for Your amazing act of love and mercy toward me–the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. I acknowledge my sin before You and ask You to forgive me. I accept the atoning gift of Your Son, Father God. I accept the gift You died to give me, Lord Jesus. Thank You! Thank You for washing me clean in the blood of my Savior. Because of Your blood, I am forgiven, clean, and whole. I choose to accept the fullness of the gift of Your Son, Father and I thank You for it all. Help me to walk with You. Help me be the friend to You that You are to me. May we walk together in true righteousness and holiness all the days of my life, dwelling in the House of the Lord forever. Amen.

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