![]() Rather than ask for forgiveness for Himself, He requests forgiveness for the ones responsible for His death. It was normal for a person who was being executed to confess his sins, but Jesus had no sins to confess. "Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38–39). The prayer "Father, forgive them" reveals the purpose of Jesus' death: to provide atonement so that sins could be forgiven. "And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:59–60). Not too long after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, we see that Stephen followed Christ's example when he was being stoned. Jesus' prayer "Father, forgive them" made a lasting impression on His followers. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps" (1 Peter 2:20–21). "If when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. In the very midst of brutality, He prayed that God would forgive His murderers. In Matthew 5:43–44, Jesus had taught, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Jesus did not lash out in anger against His tormentors, but He left us an example of how we should respond to persecution. Jesus, in praying "Father, forgive them" from the cross, was practicing what He preached. One of His statements is recorded in Luke 23:34: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Jesus spoke several times during His crucifixion. Why did Jesus pray 'Father, forgive them' from the cross?
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