Judge Not: Moving From Condemnation to Mercyනියැදිය

Day 7 – The Call to Forgive

Scripture: Luke 23:33-34
"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. Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'"

Forgiveness isn't a suggestion in the kingdom of God; it's the mark of someone who truly belongs to it. From the moment Jesus opened His mouth on the mountainside and taught the crowds in Matthew 5-7, He made it clear: mercy is non-negotiable. "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

It's a radical counter-cultural command that can be offensive at times. How do you love the person who betrayed you? How do you pray for the one who hurt you so deeply? How do you bless the one who cursed you?

It's one thing to preach it. It's another to live it. Yet, that's what Jesus did, not just with words but His life AND death.

In His final moments, surrounded by hatred, violence, and injustice, Jesus could have called down judgment. The God of angel armies could have crushed His persecutors and condemned His enemies, but He didn’t. He could’ve proven He is God, but He chose to die on the cross because mercy had to win over judgment.

Instead, as the nails tore through His flesh and the cross was lifted high, Jesus fulfilled His command, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

It wasn't passive forgiveness or forgiveness after a person with a penitent heart asked for repentance. It was mercy in its purest, most undeserved form, extended in real-time to those who were still mocking Him, still cursing Him, still killing Him.

This active mercy is what forgiveness looks like in the kingdom of God. It's not reserved for those who grovel. It's not handed out to the people who finally realize how wrong they were. As Jesus modeled it, forgiveness flows from a heart fully surrendered to the Father's will, a heart more concerned with mercy than justice, and more focused on redemption than revenge.

Make no mistake, Jesus wasn't just showing us a good example; He set a new standard. If you've been following this journey, you've felt the weight of moving from judgment to mercy. But it all leads to the cross, where mercy triumphed over judgment.

Forgiveness is the final step. Not because it excuses what's been done but because it releases you from carrying the burden of judgment. You're not the judge. You don't have to be. That job belongs to God alone.

When Jesus prayed for His enemies, He showed us the most profound freedom imaginable, where we love even when we're hated, bless when we're cursed, and release judgment because we trust that God sees and God knows.

What does that mean for us?

It means we forgive before they say sorry. We pray for the ones who never plan to change. We choose mercy even when it feels impossible. Not because they deserve it but because we've already received it.

This extension is the hardest part of the journey but also where authentic freedom lives. Unforgiveness keeps us chained to the past. Bitterness robs us of peace. But forgiveness? Forgiveness is where we find the heart of God, the same heart that looked down from the cross and said, "Forgive them." If Jesus could do that on the cross amid terrible pain, cruelty, and torture, we can do it to people who have hurt us.

Today, think about who you're still holding in judgment. Who have you carried in your mind, replaying their offense, weighing the scales, waiting for them to make it right?

Then hear Jesus' words, not just to the crowd that day, but to you: "Forgive them."

Pray for them. Bless them. Release them.

In doing so, you don't just set them free; you set yourself free, too.

That's what Jesus died for. That's what mercy looks like. That's the power of the cross.

Prayer Focus:

Jesus, thank You for showing me what true forgiveness looks like. You prayed for Your enemies even as they crucified You. Help me do the same. Teach me to release judgment, pray for those who've hurt me, and trust You with justice. Fill me with mercy, the same mercy You poured out on me. It is in the name of Jesus we pray, amen.