ASH WEDNESDAY

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

Today is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the season of Lent. On this day of beginnings we celebrate a completion.

Jesus is obviously referring to the soldiers who are in the very act of carrying out His crucifixion, when he asks for forgiveness. Also, He is no doubt looking at the religious leaders and others who had such an insidious part to play in his death.

Is it possible that Jesus saw more than the crowd who were present that day, as His words of forgiveness is uttered? It is interesting to note that forgiveness can still flow from the Father to all who 'do not know what they are doing'.

Isaac Watts penned the words (Song # 136) 'See, from His head, His hands, His feet,/ Sorrow and love flow mingled down.' Indeed they do, and forgiveness flows down as well, down through the centuries and generations, right down to where you and I stand in our need before the King of kings today!