Mankind’s One Prayer: Forgiveness

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. Luke 23:34 (NKJV)

 “They know not what they do?” These few words from the cross sound pretty straightforward. I believe this simple but profound statement deals with a timeless truth that ultimately answers the question of who we are and were created to be. The mob mentality at Calvary obscured the reality of the divine that dwells in each of us. Jesus asked the Father for their forgiveness and make no mistake, it was granted.

Let’s look at who exactly are “they” that Jesus is referring too? Was it his Roman executioners or Calvary’s many onlookers? It was neither because it was all of us.  Jesus was expressing that it wasn’t their actions that made them blind to the truth but it was their perception of who they are that made them ignorant of their own eternal worth. Jesus was talking to all of mankind from the cross.

Forgiveness: The Prayer of the Healed

The miracle the cross exemplified is found secured in the power and sheer force of forgiveness. Forgiveness as defined by the submission and obedience displayed in the person of of Jesus Christ. The lamb of God on the cross is the symbol of the unconditional expression of your timeless nature. It is where heaven and earth meet and the sacred is revealed.

This powerful misunderstood word of fore-giveness can better be interpreted as the giving forth to oneself. This is the key to forgiveness. Forgiveness first begins in one’s own heart. We judge not only those around us but our harshest judgments condemn our own selves. This is the fertile soil that fear thrives upon. Non forgiveness is that which confines us to a prison of our own making.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalms 23:4 (NKJV)

If most of us were honest we would admit that we pray or ask forgiveness only during the valley experiences of our lives. Yet it takes only a slight shift in our perspective to see that forgiveness opens the door to miracles every moment of each day. This is true because the being that inhabits your human form is the very essence of life itself. Life is freely expressed through the healing power of forgiveness.

This is life’s great open secret. In you dwells the love of God and the miracle that you seek. The love you seek is your own being! This is a powerful truth.  The paradox is as long as we are yearning and longing for anything to find or add to ourselves, we are betraying the truth that we already are everything we need. Nothing is impossible for the child of God because your very being is the expression of creation itself.

 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. Genesis 1:31

Hasn’t God declared everything He has created as being good? Wouldn’t that include you? We need to look at the truth of what it is we are really trying to seek to fulfill our human existence. No matter what we try to add to our lives to fill the seemingly empty void inside, there’s always the next best thing that’s missing. So when we chose to surrender or accepting that life is perfect as God has declared, then we become free.

So what is this acceptance I mentioned that sets us free? Jesus emphasized non-resistance to evil or turning the other cheek. Acceptance is the non-resistance to life no matter how it presents itself in any given moment. This teaching is the highest and purest love and cannot fail when it is understood by the heart. So the word that brings forth all miracles begins with forgiveness because this is total surrender to life itself.

Walk in love, as Christ has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2 (NKJV)

Our very lives is the fragrance that God calls a sweet savior that is pleasing to Him So remember this prayer of forgiveness that came from the cross. Life is perfect. Fear will whisper that prayers are not always answered. Yet love demands that all prayers are answered perfectly because God is love. To find the “peace that surpasses all understanding” your endless seeking and countless spiritual journeys’ must end here.  Wanting is the source of all misery and suffering. The divine, which you are, lacks no-thing. You are completely whole. Any sense of separation from God is the great deception that leads you to believe you need a miracle. In reality, you are the miracle that you seek. Forgiveness makes all miracle’s possible.

This principle is so simple but we keep missing it and have not grasped its potent healing force. If the Christian cross stands for anything, it represents total forgiveness and unconditional love. The action of this force is a ‘giving forth’ to yourself the space needed when feeling self-conscious, self-defensive, fearful, guilty or small image of ourselves.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ* has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 1 John 5:1

As children of God this sacred action of learning how to forgive and love unconditionally is a cleansing agent. Sacred action begins with bringing a "yes" or acceptance to life despite the circumstances. Sacred action is that non-resistance that allows forgiveness to begin the healing process in all the areas of your life. It is the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Forgiveness is the prayer of the healed and reveals our true identity, this the cry of Jesus’ from the cross.  

James Robert Kessler
Because of Him Art Ministry 2013