The First Word
from the Cross: The Word of Forgiveness
Introduction
Among the seven last sayings of Jesus Christ on the cross, the first word
stands out as a powerful expression of mercy, grace, and divine love: “Father,
forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” This statement reveals
the heart of Christ in one of the darkest moments of human history. Even while
enduring pain, humiliation, and rejection, Jesus spoke not words of anger or
judgment, but words of forgiveness.
This first saying from the cross carries deep spiritual meaning. It shows
us who Jesus is, how He responds to sinners, and what kind of life His
followers are called to live. In this one sentence, we see compassion,
intercession, and the beauty of God’s mercy.
The Address:
“Father”
Jesus begins this saying by addressing God as “Father.” This is deeply
meaningful because it shows that even in the suffering of the cross, His
relationship with the Father remained firm and unbroken. He did not turn away
in bitterness. He did not speak in despair. Instead, He continued to trust the
Father completely.
By using this intimate address, Jesus reminds us of His identity as the
Son of God. His pain did not destroy His faith or His obedience. Even in agony,
He remained surrendered to the will of the Father. This teaches us that in
times of suffering, we too are called to remain close to God and trust Him
fully.
The Request:
“Forgive Them”
The heart of this first word is the request itself: “forgive them.” These
words were spoken for those who had mocked Him, beaten Him, falsely accused
Him, and nailed Him to the cross. Jesus prayed for the very people who were
causing His suffering.
This is one of the most extraordinary moments in all of Scripture. A
human response would have been anger, revenge, or condemnation. But Jesus
responded with mercy. He asked the Father to forgive those who were acting
against Him. This reveals a love that goes beyond human understanding.
Christ did not wait for His enemies to apologize. He did not demand that
they first understand their wrong. Instead, He freely prayed for their
forgiveness. In doing so, He gave the world a living example of grace.
The Reason: “For
They Do Not Know What They Are Doing”
Jesus then gives the reason for His prayer: “for they do not know what
they are doing.” This does not mean that the people were innocent, but it shows
that they were spiritually blind. They did not fully understand who Jesus was.
They did not realize that the one they were crucifying was the Son of God. They
did not understand the eternal significance of what was taking place.
Their ignorance did not remove the seriousness of their actions, but it
moved the compassionate heart of Jesus to intercede for them. Even in their
blindness and sin, Christ looked upon them with mercy.
This is one of the most moving truths of the Gospel: humanity rejected
Christ, yet Christ responded with forgiveness. The innocent One prayed for the
guilty. The Holy One showed mercy to sinners. This is the greatness of divine
love.
The Spiritual
Meaning of the First Word
The first word from the cross is rightly called the word of forgiveness.
It is a message not only about what Jesus did for those around Him, but also
about the kind of spirit believers are called to have. If Christ forgave those
who crucified Him, then His followers are also called to forgive those who hurt
them.
Forgiveness is not easy. It goes against human pride and natural desire.
But the cross teaches us that forgiveness is at the center of Christian faith.
It is not weakness; it is spiritual strength. It is not forgetting wrongdoing;
it is choosing mercy over bitterness.
This first saying also shows that Jesus is our intercessor. Even while
suffering, He was praying for others. His concern was not only for Himself, but
for the souls of those around Him. This reveals the depth of His love and the
greatness of His mission.
A Lesson for
Believers Today
The first word from the cross speaks powerfully to believers today. We
live in a world filled with anger, division, hatred, and offense. People hurt
one another with words, actions, and betrayal. In such a world, the example of
Jesus remains both challenging and transforming.
Christ calls us to forgive not because others always deserve it, but
because forgiveness reflects the heart of God. When we forgive, we follow the
example of Jesus. When we show mercy, we reveal the work of grace in our lives.
Forgiveness does not erase pain, but it opens the door for healing, peace, and
spiritual freedom.
The cross teaches us that love is greater than hatred, mercy is stronger
than revenge, and grace triumphs over sin.
Conclusion
The first word from the cross reveals the heart of Jesus Christ in a
remarkable way. While enduring pain, shame, and rejection, He chose to speak
words of forgiveness. He did not curse His enemies. He prayed for them. He did
not seek revenge. He offered mercy.
This saying is more than a moment from history. It is a living message
for every generation. It reminds us that God is full of grace, that Christ
loves even sinners, and that forgiveness is at the center of true discipleship.
The first word from the cross challenges each of us personally. If Jesus
forgave those who crucified Him, then how can we refuse to forgive those who
have wronged us? In this word of forgiveness, we see the beauty of the Gospel,
the mercy of God, and the example every believer is called to follow.