It’s time once again for our monthly opportunity to get answers to your questions on the bible, faith, and the church. Professors Mark Muska and Brad Sickler from the University of Northwestern answer your questions about Jesus’ prayer on the cross.
Our professors tackle an important question about Jesus’ prayer in Luke 23:34.
“When Jesus was on the cross, his statement was, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ Who were them? Did God answer that prayer?” – Jeff, Faith Radio listener
To put this interaction in proper context, Professor Muska elaborates on Luke 23:33.
“It says, ‘When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Jesus and the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.’ Jesus was saying, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they are doing and they cast lots diving up garments among them.’”
Who was Jesus referring to in this prayer?
Professor Muska shares his personal opinion,
“In most restricted sense, I think he’s talking about those who are crucifying him; those who are there. I take that to be Roman soldiers, in particular, they are crucifying him and that makes perfect sense out of the statement.”
He explains the reality of mockery and ridicule that Jesus faced on the cross from the people who were crucifying him.
“These soldiers are just doing their duty; they have contempt toward the Jews. A couple of verses later, they’re mocking Jesus because he claimed to be the King of the Jews and they thought that was preposterous.”
“So it may be most directly toward those Romans, but there are Jewish officials there at the cross as well.”
Was Jesus’ prayer answered?
Professor Muska explains the truth about forgiveness and the premise of this prayer.
“I don’t think that that means their sin was forgiven. The way forgiveness is received is through faith, and there’s none mentioned here on this cross.”
God’s desire for His people is to experience everlasting life and to seek out forgiveness of our sins through our faith in Jesus Christ. We can learn more about this truth in 2 Peter 3:9.
“It confirms what a couple passages say in the New Testament about God’s wish is that, ‘no one perish, but everyone come to eternal life’ and to know Him.
“Jesus is expressing that, ‘Forgive them; they don’t understand what they’re doing.’”
As Christians, we are called to pray for those who persecute us, just as Jesus did. Professor Sickler reminds us of this powerful opportunity found in Matthew 5:44.
“The last thing Jesus does on his earthly ministry is show that he alone lives up to his standard. He says, ‘love even your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’ Well that’s exactly what he’s doing; he’s praying for those who persecute him.”
