Every once in a while, a bible verse feels as if it jumps off the page and smacks me in the head.
This is one of those times.
Reading Luke 23, the chapter in Luke that records the crucifixion.
"Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." vv 32-34 (NIV) emphasis mine.
Jesus Christ is fully God, but he is also fully man. A man who was just nailed to a cross.
I have to take a step back from this verse for a moment, I have to think about the kind of man who is capable of this kind of forgiveness. He was in physical agony. The people he had come to gather to himself, those he loved, had just beaten him and nailed him to a cross. At best I figure he would silently take this kind of abuse with a strong resolve to do his father's will.
But Jesus prayed for the people who were killing him. He asked his father to forgive them. His response was to pray for them.
Now, maybe I can easily dismiss this kind of love in my own life? After all, this is the sinless son of God right? This kind of love is not possible for us to have. Is it?
Yet... in Acts 7:54-60 we read about Stephen's bloody death.
"When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
Jesus said, "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. " Luke 6:28 (NIV)
It convicts me as I realize this isn't a suggestion, it's a command.
This is the hight standard of the Kingdom of God.
