Father, Forgive Them

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." — Luke 23:34

One of the virtues I have struggled with recently is forgiveness. I am sure many of us have faced similar situations—times when someone we trusted betrayed us, spoke ill of us behind our backs, or committed an act so painful that it felt impossible to move on. How do you forgive when the wound is deep? How do you let go when your heart is filled with hurt, anger, and disappointment?

When we are wronged, our natural response is often to hold on to the pain, seek justice, or even desire revenge. We tell ourselves that forgiveness means letting the offender go unpunished or excusing their actions. But the truth is, forgiveness is not about the other person—it is about our own hearts.

In His greatest moment of suffering on the cross, Jesus did the unthinkable—He forgave. He had been beaten, mocked, and crucified by the very people He came to save. He had every right to call down judgment, yet He chose mercy. His words, "Father, forgive them," reveal the heart of God—a love that extends grace even to the undeserving.

We are called to emulate our master. Christians – “little christs”. Jesus calls us to forgive, not because the other person deserves it, but because He first forgave us (Colossians 3:13).

Forgiveness is not about justifying the offender’s actions or erasing the pain they caused—it is about liberating our own hearts from the chains of bitterness and resentment. Unforgiveness is a prison of our own making, keeping us bound in anger and sorrow, while the one who wronged us may remain unaffected. True healing is not dependent on their apology or acknowledgment but on our willingness to entrust our wounds to God. Forgiveness is an act of surrender, a declaration that we trust God's justice more than our own desire for retribution. It does not dismiss the gravity of the offense, nor does it require the immediate restoration of trust, but it releases us from the burden of vengeance and allows God to work in His perfect wisdom and time. When we choose to forgive, we step into the divine freedom Christ secured for us, breaking free from the weight of the past and walking in the peace only He can give.

Forgiveness is not excusing sin or pretending it didn’t happen. It is not automatically restoring trust—reconciliation may take time. Forgiveness is choosing to let go of bitterness and entrusting justice to God. Forgiveness is an act of obedience that frees our hearts from the weight of unforgiveness.

Sometimes, we say we forgive, yet the pain lingers. We may not be able to forget, but we can choose to release the offense and allow God to heal our wounds. Forgiveness is not a feeling but a decision, and with God’s grace, it is possible.

One of the most powerful real-life examples of forgiveness comes from Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian who, along with her family, helped Jews escape the Nazis during World War II. She was eventually arrested and sent to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, where she endured unimaginable suffering. Her sister, Betsie, died in the camp, yet before she passed, she told Corrie, "There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still."

After the war, Corrie traveled the world, sharing the message of God’s love and forgiveness. But one day, she was put to the ultimate test

In 1947, while speaking at a church in Germany, she saw a man approaching her after her message. To her horror, she recognized him as one of the former SS guards from Ravensbrück—one of the very men who had humiliated and tormented her and her sister.

The man did not recognize her, but he told her that he had since become a Christian and believed in God’s forgiveness. Then, he extended his hand to her and said, "Fraulein, will you forgive me?"

At that moment, Corrie froze. She felt the weight of all the pain and suffering from the past flood back. She knew what Jesus commanded about forgiveness, but could she actually forgive the man who played a role in her sister’s death?

She prayed silently, asking Jesus to help her. Then, in an act of obedience, she forced her hand to take his. As she did, she later said, "The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, and sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. 'I forgive you, brother!' I cried. With all my heart!"

Corrie later reflected that forgiveness is not based on our emotions, but on obedience to God. She learned that when we step out in faith to forgive, God supplies the strength. True forgiveness is not something we can manufacture on our own—it is the work of God’s grace in our hearts.

Her story teaches us that forgiveness is not about forgetting the past, but about breaking free from its hold. It is about choosing love over hatred, peace over bitterness, and obedience over self-justification.

Corrie’s life is a powerful testimony that forgiveness is possible, even in the most unimaginable circumstances—because with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

Prayer:

Father, I come before You with a heart that struggles to forgive. Help me to release every offense into Your hands. Give me the strength to follow Christ’s example, even when it’s hard. Teach me to love, just as You have loved me. Amen.

Application:

1. Ask God to reveal any areas of unforgiveness in your heart.
2. Pray for the strength to forgive, even if emotions don’t immediately follow.
3. Trust God to bring healing and justice in His time.