Jesus pronounced seven sentences while dying in the Cross. They are the last “Seven Words” spoken by Jesus Christ. In a way, they are Jesus’ last will.
The first of these last words is “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” (Lk 23: 34). In the Law of Moses it was fitting “if injury ensues, you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth …” (Ex 21: 23-24).
But as Jesus came to perfect the Law of Moses, He said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you…” (Mt 5: 38-39). He actually showed us how to forgive beyond any human understanding.
Under the ancient law, it would have been suitable for God to ask retribution from mankind, the “eye for an eye” retribution.
However, the debt of our sin was so great that only God could satisfy it, but since it was man who had to pay this debt, whoever did had to be God and Man. (St. Anselm in Cur Deus Homo or Why God became Man)
So when mankind crucified Jesus, we killed an innocent man in the most horrific way possible. We tortured and killed Christ the Messiah, God on this earth.
In saying this First Word, Jesus showed us how to forgive in the most profound way. He prayed to His Father to spare us from that retribution, He prayed for mankind to be forgiven because we did not know what we were doing.
How many times, being offended, we respond in an excessive manner, “killing” our neighbor, our spouse, or children, or for that matter, a complete stranger. We become vicious in our response attacking our “neighbor” mercilessly and never stopping to think the many times God has forgiven us.
Can I follow Jesus’ example and forgive without restrictions? Who do I have to forgive from the bottom of my heart? Am I able to forgive like Jesus? Am I learning to forgive? Am I trying to forgive?
Do we realize that saying in the Lord’s Prayer “forgive us our trespasses AS we forgive those who trespass against us” we are running the risk of remaining un forgiven, because we will be forgiven AS we forgive?
THE LAST SEVEN WORDS FROM THE CROSS - Series:
Third Word: "Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son." Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother."
Fourth Word - "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me"
Fifth Word: "I Thirst"
Sixth Word: "It is finished"
Seventh Word: "Father, into Thy Hands I commend My Spirit"
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