Jesus’ first words from the cross reveal the heart of divine love: ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ Speaking during crucifixion required immense physical effort, making every word precious and intentional. Yet Jesus chose to use his first costly breath not for a cry of pain or curse upon his enemies, but for a prayer of forgiveness. This demonstrates what can be called preemptive forgiveness - offering grace before it’s requested, before repentance occurs, before understanding dawns.
True forgiveness is often misunderstood as weakness or denial of harm. However, authentic forgiveness actually confronts reality head-on, acknowledging the full weight of what has been done while choosing a different response. It refuses to give evil a second victory through retaliation or ongoing resentment. When we wait for apologies that may never come or hold onto anger toward
those who have wronged us, we allow their harmful actions to continue affecting our lives long after the initial hurt occurred.
The power of preemptive forgiveness lies in its ability to break cycles of hurt and hatred. Modern examples, like the families of Charleston’s Mother Emanuel AME Church shooting victims who offered forgiveness just 48 hours after the tragedy, demonstrate this radical grace in action. Such forgiveness doesn’t minimize evil or excuse harmful behavior, but rather participates in God’s redemptive work of building bridges and healing broken relationships. When we choose to forgive, we give ourselves the gift of freedom while becoming agents of divine grace in a world desperately needing healing.
THE COST OF FIRST WORDS
Imagine being in such physical agony that every word requires pulling yourself up by nails driven through your wrists just to breathe enough to speak. In this unimaginable pain, what would your first words be? A cry for help? A curse toward your tormentors?
Jesus chose something radically different. His first words from the cross were a prayer of forgiveness. This wasn’t a casual comment or an afterthought—it was a deliberate, costly choice. Every syllable required excruciating effort, yet He used His precious breath to pray for those who had put Him there.
Luke 23:32-34
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.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
This reveals something profound about God’s heart: even in His darkest moment, His first instinct was grace.
When we’re hurt or wronged, our natural response is often anger, revenge, or self-protection. But Jesus shows us a different way—a way that begins with forgiveness, not as a last resort, but as the first response. His example challenges us to consider what our “first words” reveal about our hearts when we’re wounded.
When you’re hurt or wronged, what are typically your ‘first words’ or immediate reactions, and how might they change if you followed Jesus’ example?
“His first words were a prayer. Father, forgive them. Jesus first words from the cross were about forgiveness.”
Lord, help me to make forgiveness my first response, not my last resort. When I’m wounded, remind me of Your costly grace and give me strength to choose Your way over my natural reactions. Amen.
FORGIVENESS THAT FACES REALITY
There’s a common misconception that forgiveness means pretending nothing happened or minimizing the hurt we’ve experienced. But true forgiveness is actually the opposite—it requires us to look directly at the wound and acknowledge its full impact.
Jesus didn’t ignore what was happening to Him or pretend it wasn’t that bad. He was fully aware of the injustice, the betrayal, and the physical agony. Yet from this place of complete honesty about the harm done, He chose forgiveness.
This kind of forgiveness doesn’t sweep things under the rug or enable harmful behavior. Instead,
it confronts evil head-on and refuses to let it have the final word.
When we truly forgive, we’re not saying “it doesn’t matter”—we’re saying “it matters so much that I choose to respond with grace rather than revenge.” This takes incredible courage and strength. It’s not the easy path, but it’s the path that leads to healing and freedom, both for ourselves and potentially for those who have wronged us.
Luke 23:32-34
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.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Is there a situation in your life where you’ve been avoiding the full reality of hurt in order to ‘move on,’ and how might facing it honestly actually lead to deeper healing?
“Forgiveness, real forgiveness, does not minimize what has happened. Forgiveness confronts it, names it and looks directly at the wound.”
Father, give me courage to face the reality of my wounds without minimizing them, and the strength to choose forgiveness from that place of honesty. Help me see that true forgiveness requires truth, not denial. Amen.
Heavenly Father, I confess that fear often paralyzes me. I look at the enormity of needs around me and feel that what I have to offer is too small. Help me to trust that You can use my limited resources for Your unlimited purposes. Give me courage to step out in faith today. Amen.
GRACE BEFORE THE ASK
Most of us wait for an apology before we consider forgiveness. We want acknowledgment, remorse, maybe even some groveling before we’re willing to extend grace. But Jesus modeled something revolutionary: preemptive forgiveness. He forgave before anyone asked, before anyone showed remorse, before anyone even understood what they had done wrong.
This wasn’t because the offense didn’t matter, but because God’s love doesn’t wait for perfect conditions to act.
Think about it—God’s forgiveness was already in place before you knew you needed it. Before
you understood your need for grace, before you felt sorry for your mistakes, His love was already reaching toward you.
This kind of forgiveness is like building a bridge before you know someone needs to cross it. It’s grace that goes first, creating space for relationship and healing even when the other person isn’t ready yet.
When we practice preemptive forgiveness, we’re not being naive or weak—we’re participating in the very nature of God, who loved us while we were still His enemies.
Luke 23:32-34
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.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Who in your life might benefit from your preemptive forgiveness - grace offered before they ask for it or even realize they need it?
“Preemptive forgiveness. Jesus forgives before anyone asks. The starting point is forgiveness. God’s forgiveness precedes repentance.”
Lord, help me to love like You love - offering forgiveness before it’s requested and grace before it’s earned. Teach me to build bridges of mercy even when others aren’t ready to cross them yet. Amen.
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REFUSING THE SECOND VICTORY
Evil is cunning in its strategy. It doesn’t just want to hurt you once—it wants to keep hurting you long after the initial wound. When someone wrongs us and we hold onto anger, resentment, or thoughts of revenge, we’re actually giving that evil act a second victory in our lives.
The original hurt was bad enough, but now it’s continuing to poison our thoughts, steal our peace, and damage our relationships.
Jesus understood this trap. By choosing forgiveness, He refused to let hatred have the final word. His forgiveness wasn’t weakness—it was the most subversive act imaginable. It broke
the cycle of evil and prevented it from spreading further.
When we forgive, we’re not doing it primarily for the other person’s benefit. We’re doing it for our own freedom. We’re deciding that we won’t let someone else’s sin continue to have power over our lives.
Forgiveness is how we take back control and refuse to let evil win twice. It’s one of the most powerful acts of resistance we can perform.
Luke 23:32-34
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.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
What past hurt are you still allowing to have a ‘second victory’ in your life through ongoing anger or resentment, and what would it look like to reclaim that power through forgiveness?
“Father, forgive them. Is not weakness. It is the most subversive act imaginable. It is the refusal to let hatred have the final word.”
God, I don’t want to give evil a second victory in my life. Help me to forgive not as an act of weakness, but as an act of strength and freedom. Break the chains that bind me to past hurts. Amen.
THE FOUNDATION OF NEW CREATION
Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness from the cross wasn’t just a beautiful moment—it was the foundation stone of a new creation. Before the resurrection confirmed victory over death, forgiveness inaugurated victory over hatred. It was as if God was saying that the new world He was creating would be built not on revenge or justice alone, but on grace and mercy.
This forgiveness wasn’t an afterthought or a nice addition to the gospel—it was the very first word of God’s new creation.
When we choose to forgive, we’re not just healing old wounds; we’re participating in God’s
ongoing work of making all things new. Every act of forgiveness is a small resurrection, a little piece of heaven breaking into our broken world. It’s a declaration that love is stronger than hate, that grace is more powerful than revenge, and that God’s way of healing is better than our way of hurting.
The prayer Jesus prayed for His enemies, He also prayed for you and me. We are called to go and do likewise—to be agents of this new creation wherever we go, building bridges of forgiveness in a world that desperately needs them.
Luke 23:32-34
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.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
How can you be an agent of God’s new creation this week by offering forgiveness or grace to someone who doesn’t expect it?
“It is
the first
word
of a new creation. Forgiveness,
not as
an afterthought,
but
as the foundation, the bridge built before we knew we needed to cross it.”
prayer
Father, thank You for making forgiveness the foundation of Your new creation. Help me to go and do likewise, spreading Your grace and mercy wherever I go. Use me as an instrument of Your healing love. Amen.
