“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” Luke 23:34.
Having considered some lessons regarding forgiveness of sin please consider the implications of the final phrase uttered by the Saviour.
“They know not what they do.”
IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE FOR SIN
- The greatest of all sins was committed in ignorance. How blind is man to the character of his rebellion against the Lord! Despite not knowing the awfulness of their actions, they still needed forgiveness.
- They had no excuse for their ignorance. (A). They had been most wondrously told Who He was. “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased,” Luke 3:22. (B). The Saviour also had told them, Matt 16:13-17. (C). The Saviour’s works declared Who He was, Matt 11:2-6, see also 14:15-17. (D). The prophets had all declared Who He was, John 1:29; Acts 10:38-43.
- Their ignorance was evidence of their great sinfulness. They looked upon Christ and failed to recognise Who He was. This ignorance was seen in the man healed of blindness. “Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him,” John 9:35-38. He was a man anxious to know Christ yet could not recognise Him until he was instructed by the Saviour. John 1:10, 3:19; Ephesians 4:17-19.
- Such ignorance must be repented of. “And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. . . . Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,”Acts 3:17, 19.