For those of us who are up to our necks in manure, which is to say, up to our necks in forgiveness, it is perhaps important to note that the forgiveness Jesus prayed for us is not preceded by any confession or acknowledgment of wrongdoing by the crucifixion crowd—or by any of us since. Preemptive forgiveness. Jesus prays that we be forgiven before any of us have any idea we even need it, “for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). No preconditions. Amazing grace.
