Have you ever met a person willing to make excuses for the bad behavior of another? Or have you ever made excuses for your own bad behavior?

Jesus makes an excuse for what others are doing to him – they don’t know what they are doing. Yet it seems clear that they did know what they were doing. They were crucifying the one who had been drawing a crowd and exciting them about the kingdom that was about to come. This was a threat to those in power. They wanted the old kingdom to remain, so that they could remain in power. They knew exactly what they were doing. They were getting rid of this troublemaker once and for all, or so they thought.

However, Jesus, even then, is full of mercy and compassion. Even while enduring the humiliation, the pain and agony or crucifixion showed mercy to those who were inflicting him with such torture. Jesus makes an excuse for them and calls on the Father to forgive.

Even when we know what we are doing is wrong, Jesus makes an excuse for us and calls upon the Father to forgive our sins.