STRENGTH TO LOVE by MLK, jr. Chp. 4 Synopsis

Love in Action

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them
for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:24

Few words in the New Testament more clearly and solemnly express the magnanimity of Jesus’s Spirit than that sublime utterance from the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” This is love at its best.
Though subjected to inexpressible agony, suffering excruciating pain, and despised and rejected, nevertheless, he cried, “Father, forgive them.” Two basic lessons can be gleaned from this plea.

1. It is a marvelous expression of Jesus’s ability to match words with action.
One of the great tragedies of life is that men seldom bridge the gulf between practice and profession between doing and saying. This strange dichotomy, between the “ough” and the “is”, represents the tragic theme of man’s earthly pilgrimage.
But in the life of Jesus we find the gulf is bridged. Never in history was there a more sublime example of the consistency of word and deed. During his ministry in Galilee, Jesus talked passionately about forgiveness. Jesus responded to Peter by affirming there is no limit to forgiveness….”Until seventy times seven.” Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.
Contrasted with Jesus’s command to forgive, is society’s final assertion that it will not forgive with the act of capital punishment. (An author’s note think about the brilliant film DEAD MAN WALKING where the nun is able to love the seemingly unlovable murderer, and help him find some comfort in repentance and asking for forgiveness finally at the last few days of his life.)
Jesus eloquently affirmed from the cross a higher law. He knew that the old eye-for-eye philosophy would leave everyone blind. He did not seek to overcome evil with evil. He overcame evil with good. Although crucified by hate, he responded with aggressive love.
What a magnificent lesson! Generations will rise and fall; men will continue t worship the god of revenge and bow before the altar of retaliation; but ever and again this noble lesson of Calvary will be a nagging reminder that only goodness can drive out evil and only love can conquer hate.

2. The second lesson is and expression of Jesus’s awareness of man’s intellectual and spiritual blindness. “They know not what they do,” said Jesus. Blindness was their trouble; enlightenment was their need. The men who cried “Crucify him, were not bad men but rather blind men.”
Saul was not an evil-intentioned man when he persecuted Christians. He was a sincere, conscientious devotee of Isreal’s faith. He thought he was right. He persecuted Christians not because he was devoid of integrity, but because he was devoid of enlightenment.
Our world is threatened by the grim prospect of nuclear annihilitation because there are still too many who know not what they do.
Apostle Paul noticed the blindness of many of his opponents, he said, “I bear them record that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”
Over and over the Bible reminds us of the danger of zeal without knowledge and sincerity without intelligence.
Only through bringing together of head and heart – intelligence and goodness- shall man rise to the fulfillment of his true nature. One does not need to be a profound scholar to be open-minded, nor a keen academician to engage in as assiduous search for truth.
We must see the cross as the magnificent symbol of love conquering hate and light overcoming darkness. But in midst of this glowing affirmation, let us never forget that our Lord and Master was nailed to that cross because of human blindness. Those who crucified him knew not what they did.