Cheryl Schatz

At the cross Jesus forgave those who put Him to death in their ignorance: Luke 23:34 (NASB95) But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. A Roman centurion who stood in front of Jesus as He died believed that Jesus was who He said He was. Mark 15:39 (NASB95) When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Jesus’ asking the Father to forgive them was the catalyst that brought the Father’s revelation to the centurion, but this man was not one who had belonged to the Father. He was not a believer who came to faith in Christ. He was an executioner who received mercy in order to have his eyes open to the reality of who Jesus is.