Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:34 KJV

As I grow older, I can’t say I have learned all of the answers, but I have come to discover some of the best questions. The funny thing is that when God gives an answer it is rarely as detailed as I would like. Today’s verse asks one of those. When does God forgive us? At the cross, when Jesus prayed, “Father forgive them!”  there were plenty of people in need of forgiveness, beginning with His disciples, who had run away. Then there was the crowd, milling about and hurling insults at the Lord, and of course the soldiers. Their hands had held the nails and they had shoved the crown of thorns on the head of Jesus. The list is endless, but today let’s consider the two thieves; who were crucified with Jesus. Scripture tells us that at first they both joined the crowd in cursing Jesus, yet somewhere along the way, one had a change of heart. That is when we hear him cry out, “Lord remember me!” How interesting that just after Jesus turned to that man and promised him paradise, that He makes His prayer; “Father forgive them.,” Forgive this thief, those hiding disciples, and the cursing crowd. Forgive the hands holding nails and, even the cowardly governor who has sent Me to the cross. Yes, Father forgive them.” Jesus’ request did not include “Forgive them all except, or don’t forgive them until. Jesus cried for mercy, both immediate and complete. Yet that day only a dying thief and a Roman executioner understood and received His gift. What about you? Are you wondering when God will forgive you my friend? The most wonderful news in the universe is, we don’t need to wait until we can figure out how it works or what we need to do before it will happen, because God has already forgiven us and all we need to do is believe!

At the cross, at the cross where
I first saw the light,
And the burden of my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
Isaac Watts