Yet in another sense we do know what we are doing.  For we are Christians who have learnt and understand the way in which we should go.  We have very little excuse because we sin against the light.  Are we therefore shut out from the sheltering clause, “for they do not know what they are doing?” – so that the forgiveness for which Christ pleaded cannot apply to us?

We take comfort from those other words of Jesus in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  For the Prodigal Son knew full well what he was about, but for all that, on his return in penitence and sorrow, “…while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him” (NRSV, Luke 15:20).

So, true and heartfelt sorrow for sin always brings forgiveness, however wilfully and however often we have sinned.  God never wearies in receiving the penitent, never tires of waiting for the sinner to return.  And he loves you so much that he thought you were worth dying for in order that you might thereby be given the opportunity of going to him and of obtaining forgiveness.

Let us then, this Good Friday, take our place beside the Prodigal Son, so that for ourselves at least the Crucifixion of God’s Son may not have been in vain, and that we may be able to claim a refuge within his plea, “Father, forgive them”.