“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Luke 23:34
Maybe you are struggling to live with the guilt of what you have done. You cannot forgive yourself. You do not see how God could forgive you either. That’s where Judas was.
Come to the cross. Jesus has a crown of thorns pressed into His head. His hands and feet are nailed to the wooden beams. And as that cross is lifted up, He says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (23:34).
There is hope in Jesus Christ. If you want to avoid a plunge to disaster, never give up hope. The cross is big enough to cover your sin. The blood of Jesus is rich enough to cleanse your guilt. The love of Jesus is strong enough to reach out to you, to embrace you in your darkness, and to bring you into a new life. Believe Him, come to Him, and put your hope in Him.
The enemy of your soul says, “What you have done is too bad to be forgiven. It’s too late to do anything about it.” That’s what Judas thought. Jesus will be crucified. My chance is gone. Maybe you are reading this in a hospital bed. You have lived sixty, seventy, eighty years without God and without Christ, and you are thinking, It’s too late for me to come to Christ.
Come to the cross. Jesus is dying, and next to Him there is a thief, who is in the last hour of his life. He sees his own need, he believes in Jesus, and he asks God to save him. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (23:42–43).
Never give up hope. The Lord Jesus Christ died to save you! He stands ready to welcome you. He calls you to believe in Him. He invites you to trust in His death. He offers you everlasting life. Believe Him. Trust Him. Turn to Him. In this moment ask Him to save you.
What are you waiting for?
