"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!" Palmarum (Palm Sunday) 2025

13. April 2025

Palmarum

Luke 22-23

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Lk 23:34). “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Lk 23:43). “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” (Lk 23:46).

This is the Word of the Lord that came to me, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in His + Name. AMEN.

St. Luke’s Passion includes three of the so-called Seven Last Words of Jesus. The other four are: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34; Matthew 27:46); “Woman, here is your son… Here is your mother” (John 19:26-27); “I am thirsty” (John 19:28); “It is finished” (John 19:30). There is an old tradition on Good Friday of spending the hours from noon to three with Jesus, praying psalms and hymns, listening to these Words, and preaching. I’ve participated a few times. It’s intense but worthwhile. But don’t worry. We’ll gather around 1 pm on Friday for a unique but less rigorous observance.

Today, we have before us the Passion, according to St. Luke. And at its beating heart are these words: “And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Lk 23:33–34). How astounding! Jesus makes two assertions that are terrifying yet good. And together, we learn everything we need to know about our salvation.

First, consider “they do not know what they do.” Jesus wants you to understand that we do not know, perceive, or see the significance of our actions. This contradicts every philosopher since Aristotle. We view ourselves as a collection of thoughts, words, and actions. We believe the goal in life is to think, speak, and do primarily good things while avoiding the bad stuff to reach our maximum potential. Only then do we truly know ourselves and reach our ultimate selves. For those with religious inclinations, some additional wisdom from Christ, Buddha, or a guru might help you cross the finish line, race run, laurel crown awarded, and obtain perfection, true holiness.

But Jesus shuts this all down. We do not and cannot know ourselves. “They do not know what they do.” Without hearing His Word and faith worked by the Holy Spirit, we are still in our trespasses and sins. Apart from the external Word of Christ and the new heart created by Him, we are incapable of anything good, right, and true. As Jesus says, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man” (Mk 7:18–23).

Or as Christ’s Apostle summarizes all of human history since the Garden, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.  […] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Ro 1:18–32).

Thus, Jesus’s last words ring true: “They do not know what they do.” While they may not understand, He does. Jesus calls a spade a spade, sin for sin. Today and every day, we hear a greater Word, good news, Gospel overflowing! “Father, forgive them!” This is the only answer for our sin and guilty conscience. It is the sole source of a new heart and a transformed life. We don’t need more rules, laws, policies, or discipline to become better people. We need the conviction of His Holy Law in all its severity and specificity, and we need the only Word that brings salvation, “Father, forgive them!” We die with Christ and are raised with Him by this Absolving Word. Without forgiveness, we and those we refuse to forgive are dead and doomed to hell.

Are we talking about the most offensive, disgusting people? Surely some are beyond forgiveness. Or does this include us, too? Dare Christ to forgive those who think they are right, upstanding citizens in His kingdom already? The Apostle also writes, “There is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Ro 3:21–26).

Thus, Jesus prays today: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” In those hours upon the cross, consider all He prays for each one by name. “Father, forgive the chief priests and scribes whose hatred led to murder, for they don’t know what they do. For my friend Judas, who betrayed me for thirty pieces of silver and a kiss. For my disciples who argued about who is the greatest instead of being humble servants. For Simon Peter, who denied me not once like Judas, but three times. For my disciples who failed to watch and pray in the garden. For the mob who was whipped into a frenzy by the religious leaders and came after me with swords and clubs. For the disciple who struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. For these, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

“For the men who mocked me, beat me, blindfolded me, and struck me- those blasphemers. For the church council that put me on trial and condemned me. For Pilate, who yielded to the false accusations of the elders to save his own skin. For Herod and his soldiers who treated me with contempt and mocked me. For the people who shouted for the murderer Barabbas and rejected me. For the chief priests, the rulers, and all the people who cried out, ‘Crucify Him! Crucify Him!’ Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

“For Simon of Cyrene, who bore my cross. For the women mourning and lamenting for me. For the criminals crucified with me on my right and left. For the one who blasphemes me. For the other who confesses rightly. For the soldiers who divided my garments. For the people who look on with morbid curiosity. For the rulers who sneer at me. For the soldiers who mock me. For the Centurion who will confess me. For the whole crowd who will beat their breasts. For all my friends and acquaintances who stand by and watch. For Joseph who will lay me to rest in his new tomb. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

“And for all my people who pursue false gods, who fail to confess my name, who refuse to hear my Word, who dishonor their parents and other authorities, who are angry, hate, and commit murder, who live sexually immoral lives, who cheat and steal, who tell lies and refuse to speak well of their neighbors, who desire and hunger for what is not theirs. For husbands and wives, parents and children, for pastors and listeners, for teachers and learners, for all those in every vocation whose thoughts, words, and actions are ungodly. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

And we pray with Jesus: “Father, forgive us, for we do not know what we do.” Or, as we pray daily, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” The Father sends His angel to say again and again, “In the stead and by the command of my LORD Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The Father gathers you before His altar and gives you His Son’s body and blood with these Words: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” In this Gospel, good news, cup running over, you have the only Word that can truly set you free: You are forgiven, go in peace!

This is the Word of the Lord that came to me, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in His + Name. AMEN.

Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie
St. John Ev. Lutheran Church & School - Sherman Center
Random Lake, Wisconsin