Lent Bible Reading Series - 18th April 2014

Bible Reading – Luke 23:26-49

Forgive us our trespassers as we forgive them who trespass against us,

Who did Jesus pray this forgiveness prayer for, was it the Roman soldiers, the religious leaders, the crowd, you and I perhaps? Edmund Newell a writer of ‘Seven words for Three hours’, imagines the thoughts of a monk as he sits and translates this part of the gospel story, he writes. ‘As the story before him unfolds, it takes him to the crucifixion of the one about whom he writes. A phrase has come to mind; a familiar phrase ascribed to that man on the cross, and handed down by reliable witnesses. ‘Father forgive them; for they know not what they do’. His sheer revulsion at the crucifixion pushes away thoughts of forgiveness – instead the image evokes feelings of powerlessness, frustration, hatred and revenge. And yet this phrase will not go away, it challenges his instinctive feelings just like so much he knows about this man. That compassionate, understanding, forgiving phrase seems apt for the man about whom he writes –the man who gives his life meaning.

Pray:
• Amazing love how can it be that thou my God should die for me!