Luke 23:25–34

25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. 26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, “Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!” 30 Then ‘“they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’” 31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?’ 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals— one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

 

They crucified him there . . . Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:33–34

Despite living in a country under a harsh dictatorship, Timothy had a happy childhood. Then when he was just nine, he came home from school to silence, the cold winter wind hitting his face as he called for his parents in vain. They had abandoned him to flee to another country. Desperate, he ran to the station to catch them, but the train was gone, and he was utterly alone.

Because of their choice, he then faced further trauma, seeing children dying on the street and a man executed in front of his eyes, then narrowly escaping being executed himself when he escaped the country. When he was eventually resettled, he was overcome with anger and bitterness.

Reading about Jesus’s death was transformative for Timothy. Like him, Jesus endured physical and mental trauma, but unlike him, Jesus’ thoughts were concerned with others. As he was led to the cross, Jesus had pity on the women, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves” (LUKE 23:28). Even more remarkably, Jesus prayed for his persecutors, “Father, forgive them” (V. 34).

Recovering from trauma is costly, and reaching a state of forgiveness can take many years. When he is asked about his parents now, Timothy still tears up from the pain they caused him. But Jesus’ example opened his heart to the possibility of forgiveness. Like him, we can pray to be freed from all bitterness.

What most strikes you about Jesus’ words in the lead-up to his death? If you have experienced trauma, take a moment to breathe and remind yourself of God’s comfort.

Jesus, You went through horrific suffering, enabling traumatized people to trust You with their pain. Give us time to heal and freedom from bitterness.