I think Christ was addressing the people in this way because it was pretty obvious they could not understand at that time why the Messiah they were expecting to Rule was being crucified. They really didn’t understand the crucifixion and rightfully so. They were expecting certain things to occur when their King came and this certainly didn’t figure in with their thinking.
He even told His deciples many times, even they didn’t get it until after the resurrection. Then they understood all that He had spoken of before.
But because no man then could do enough to satisfy the requirments God has established, and because there can be no forgivenes without the shedding of blood, He himself provided the solution and took our sin upon Himself so that we might choose eternal life thru Him. That is the choice one must make.....just a matter if an individual wants forgiveness in the manner in which God has established that as possible. One can know with certainty he is forgiven by God.
I think Christ showed His love for them when He spoke those words to His Father.
“I think Christ was addressing the people in this way because it was pretty obvious they could not understand”
THAT is the point. They did NOT understand. Those who did not understand could be forgiven. But what of those who did and chose it anyway? There was no wiggle room in those words.