Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34

Nancy's toddler was a hitter.  He'd go to play-school for a couple of hours in the morning then come home to receive lunch and a nap.  When Nancy would pick him up at play-school the caretakers would tell her that they had had to put him into time-out twice because he hit another toddler.  They suggested that the mothers get the two toddlers together for an afternoon of play at one of the parent's homes.  An ingenious suggestion.   When the kids got together the hit happened.  One cried.  Then both cried.  The hitter finally understood hurt.

It's a dawn of understanding that comes to all of us, especially on a day like today.  We are in the midst of Lent, the 40 days before Easter not including Sundays.  We've crossed thru Ash Wednesday where we remind ourselves that our lives will not last forever.  We revisit and recognize that each day of Lent reminds us.  Christ experienced dying, like us, but His was on a cruel cross-- a place of humiliation as well as death.  It is a pain-filled ending.  He had given so much-- healing, teaching, loving, and raising from the dead.  Yet, there He was, fully hurting on the cross.


Our lives cannot be lived without pain and sorrow.  Jesus knows our hurt, pain, and sorrow because He has also felt these.  It is from the cross Christ tells us how to deal with hurt.  We are to find the way to forgive.  Through forgiveness there is healing, wholeness and hope.  When we extend forgiveness our faith widens.  Faith, found in the wideness of Christ's arms stretched out on the cross.

Draw Nearer To Jesus

Jesus is filled with Holy Spirit

Draw your heart nearer to Him while you are in humble prayer.  His abundant compassion for you will allow you to recognize the element of heartfelt compassion for others that He's put within you during your time with Him.  Act on that compassionate motivation!

And because you are with Jesus you will recognize temptation to deny Him.  Use the powerful strength of a believer to turn from temptation and testing by total dependance on Jesus.   His strength is your strength. 

After you leave a time of humble prayer with Jesus give Him thanks over and over again.  Thanks for what Jesus has done for you by dying on the cross.  Thanks for saving you from deathly sin.  Thanks that He is already answering prayers.  Thanks that you have love, purpose, and new life.

Continue to center on Jesus as you reference the whole chapter of Luke 3, and make His answers your answers. 

Jesus is filled with Holy Spirit, you are filled with Holy Spirit.