September 5, 2026 · David Farmer
Knowledge is Forgiveness
“And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.””
Luke 23:34-38 →
## Knowing Not What
On my job, walking through the woods or in waste high uncut grass around customer's homes, I often pray, “God, please protect me from what I do not know and cannot see.” When I was a kid in church, I remember a preacher once defining the smallest sin like hurting someone’s feeling is still a sin. Even if we never know about it. That comment has always stuck with me, for truly, sins done in ignorance are still sins done. Even if I don’t know what I did. It has made me wonder throughout my life, “What have I done/said that I’m not aware of?” Most of us aren’t mindful of the impact of things we say within the hearts and minds of others. Just like that preacher’s instructing words stuck in my head, I can remember hurtful things my father said to me as kid. They’re stuck in there. And really... he didn’t know what he did. On the way to the cross the women believed. On the cross, the thief believed. Just as Jesus gave a sweetly phrased warning to the women, and kindly acceptance of the thief, He cares for those who mock Him just as much. How does He look past all that? Because they know not what they do. One odd thing is the Jewish rulers standing by acknowledging that He saved others. He healed leprosy and blindness and raised the dead, and they’re not denying it happened. This person is not the average Joe, but they’ve still chosen to kill Him, because He threatens their
positions of power in the world of men. Why? Because they know not what they do. When He requests the Father forgive, He is erasing sin. “Don’t count this one in their books, Father.” How does He offer this kind of forgiveness? Because they know not what they do.
## Knowing What
His only goal is to save humanity. From His perspective, He seeks to save others. From those other’s perspective, they don’t see why He doesn’t save Himself. Why didn’t He save Himself?! Because He knew exactly what He was doing. He knew exactly who He was, and He knew His purpose for being born; to witness to the truth (John 18:37) and to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of many (Hebrews 9:28). The difference in knowing and not knowing is having all the facts, all the background knowledge. He had a higher perspective, and therefore a higher idea. Though knowledge is power, knowledge is forgiveness.
## Self-Check
How can we look past those who say and do hurtful things to us they don’t know about? Jesus said He was sending the Holy Spirit to us to guide us into all truth (John 16:13). Ask Him to guide you into knowing all you need to know, not to be a know-it-all, but to forgive it all.
## God wept