"'Father, forgive these people,' Jesus said. 'for they don't know what they are doing.'

"And the soldiers gambled for his clothing, throwing dice for each piece. The crowd watched. And the Jewish leaders laughed and scoffed. 'He was so good at helping others,' they said, 'let's see him save himself if he is really God's Chosen One, the Messiah.'

"The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink -- of sour wine. And they called to him, 'If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!'

"A signboard was nailed to the cross above him with these words:  'This is the King of the Jews.'"

~ Luke 23:34 - 28 LAB

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Bible Commentary:  "Jesus asked God to forgive the people who were putting him to death---Jewish leaders, Roman politicians and soldiers, bystanders--and God answered that prayer by opening up the way of salvation even to Jesus' murderers. The Roman officer and soldiers who witnessed the crucifixion said, 'Surely this was God's Son'. Soon many priests were converted to the Christian faith. Since we are all sinners, we all played a part in putting Jesus to death. The Good News is that God is gracious. He will forgive us and give us new life through his Son.

"The signboard was meant to be ironic. A king, stripped and executed in public view, had obviously lost his Kingdom forever. But Jesus, who turns the world's wisdom upside down, was just coming into his Kingdom. His death and resurrection would strike the deathblow to Satan's rule and would establish his eternal authority over the earth. Few people reading the sign that bleak afternoon understood its real meaning, but the sign was absolutely true. All was not lost. Jesus was King of the Jews---and the Gentiles, and the whole universe!"

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