The End

When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.

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….

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two.

And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”  Having said this, He breathed His last. 

Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God saying “Certainly, this man was innocent.”

And all the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts.

And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, seeing these things.

Luke 23:33-34, 44-49

As Jesus hung on the cross He did not curse His tormentors but asked God to forgive them.  And, those who came to watch were not entertained, they were touched by God.  Some were moved to praise God for His Son and others were left to lament their roles in crucifying an innocent man. 

Jesus forgave those who tortured and killed Him and He will forgive us because when we deny Him and God’s forgiveness we crucify Him again and again.

Let us open our hearts and lives and invite Jesus to come in and bring to us forgiveness and God’s love and let us boast to everyone how generous our Savior is so that no one can escape the truth that Jesus is the Son of God and He is on our side.