Many hold this to be the most touching scene in all of Scripture.
In Luke's Gospel, Jesus emphasizes forgiveness. What is surprising i that he talks about God forgiving before repentance is even expressed.
- When the sinful woman at the banquet bathed his feet in her tears, Jesus tells the astonished guests that she loves much because she knows her sins have been forgiven (before she even came in).
- In the parable of the prodigal son, the father runs to his son to embrace and kiss him before the son has said a word.
- Now, on the cross, Jesus forgives everyone involved in his crucifixion before they show even a hint of remorse.
Some have wondered how, after all their planning and plotting, Jesus could say they didn't know what they were doing. one has to understand Luke's portrait of Jesus: If you knew him, you would love him. Despite all their evil plans, these people couldn't have known what they were doing ... or else they wouldn't have done it. It's as simple as that.
Your first thought might be how you fail to show the same forgiveness to others.
Better that your first thought be how Jesus has the same compassion toward you before you even turn to him. We need to believe that - really believe it - before we can do the same to others.
- Little Black Book, Diocese of Saginaw