Jesus speaks his first saying from the cross, saying "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." In these words, Jesus prays for forgiveness for those crucifying him, recognizing their ignorance. He teaches us the importance of forgiveness, as he forgave those who wronged him and prayed for his enemies. While ignorance does not excuse sin, Jesus' prayer was answered, as on the day of Pentecost three thousand of those prayed for on the cross were saved. The document examines Jesus' role as the incarnate Son submitting to the Father's will, his provision of forgiveness through his sacrifice, and his call for us to respond to him as the Forgiving Savior.
Jesus speaks his first saying from the cross, saying "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." In these words, Jesus prays for forgiveness for those crucifying him, recognizing their ignorance. He teaches us the importance of forgiveness, as he forgave those who wronged him and prayed for his enemies. While ignorance does not excuse sin, Jesus' prayer was answered, as on the day of Pentecost three thousand of those prayed for on the cross were saved. The document examines Jesus' role as the incarnate Son submitting to the Father's will, his provision of forgiveness through his sacrifice, and his call for us to respond to him as the Forgiving Savior.
Jesus speaks his first saying from the cross, saying "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." In these words, Jesus prays for forgiveness for those crucifying him, recognizing their ignorance. He teaches us the importance of forgiveness, as he forgave those who wronged him and prayed for his enemies. While ignorance does not excuse sin, Jesus' prayer was answered, as on the day of Pentecost three thousand of those prayed for on the cross were saved. The document examines Jesus' role as the incarnate Son submitting to the Father's will, his provision of forgiveness through his sacrifice, and his call for us to respond to him as the Forgiving Savior.
what they do."… Luke 23:34 We come to the most tragic scene in human history. We come to the scene of an innocent man dying on the cross. Not dying for his crimes but for yours and mine. Calvary "the place of the skull" is the location. Jesus has been led up the trail that will lead to His death. Calvary has been called the place of the curse and the blessing. Curse for Jesus but a blessing for mankind. It is at Calvary that we see the best of God and the worst of man. Who among us is without sin? What man can say he has never had an evil thought or done an evil act? Romans 3:23 says, "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Who crucified Jesus? You and I certainly had our part to play. As we set our course and take a few weeks to journey to the cross, we will look at the last seven sayings that Christ spoke upon the cross. While every word spoken by Messiah was and is important, the last words reveal to us several important things. When a man is dying, he speaks his heart and not just idle words. Three of the seven last sayings were directed toward God the Father. (1,2,7) Luke 23:26-31 has been called the Passion Sermon. Notice only one thing here in 23:28 from the words of Jesus, "Weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children." The pattern of Jesus’ life and death was unselfishness. He had no cry of pity but only concern for others. As we look at the first saying of Christ it is translated into ten words in English. These words are spoken very early and some think probably as the thunder of the hammer rang out as the nails were driven into the flesh of Christ. W. Hershel Ford points out, "In the original Greek we read that He kept on saying, ‘Father, forgive them.’ He prayed this prayer not just once, but many times." Notice the words of the Forgiving Savior with me if you would. "Exposing the Word" "…Father…" Jesus Christ, we must never forget, was the incarnate son of God. He now cries out to the Father. He is very aware of His Sonship. This was not just any man being crucified but the God of this universe was buying back the souls of mankind from sin. 2 Cor 5:19 "…God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself…" He cried to the Father fully knowing and confident that He would be heard. His life had been lived this way. You will recall at the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus stated, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always…" John 11:41-42 This word "knew" means that Christ had absolute divine knowledge of the fact that God the Father heard Him. Also His was a willing submission to the Father’s will. We see this course set in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus cried from the depths of His soul, "Father, if thou be will, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." Luke 22:42 This does not in any way make Jesus less God than God the Father. He was fully God. Col 2:9 declares, "…in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." "…forgive…" Calvary is where we see the awful depths of human sin but we also see the tremendous heights of God’s love. Paul prayed that the Ephesians concerning the love of God that they would, "be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge…" Eph 3:18-19 It is at Calvary that we see this love on display for the world to see. Reaching up to God, down to man, out to the world. I remind you though, he is not saying forgive to His friends but those that are crucifying Him. I remind you that the word of God says, "While we were yet sinners Christ died for us…" Rom. 5:8 He cried for God to forgive. This reminds us that only God can forgive sin. This was not just a plea for a pardon like a governor could give, but it is justification. How can God, who is righteous, ever forgive sin? He could not simply turn His back and pretend that it does not exist. He can forgive sin because of the blood sacrifice of Christ that satisfies the justice of God. "…them…" One of the things that becomes apparent is that Jesus is not asking for forgiveness for His sins. He said forgive, "them". 2 Cor 5:21 "…he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." His enemies were crucifying Him. Those who hated Him. He teaches us a lot about forgiveness here. First we see he prayed for his enemies. Second, he forgave those who had wronged him. Jesus had preached this in Matt 5:44, "…Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Jesus taught us to forgive a wrong seventh times seven times. This is without limit. Jesus practiced what He preached on the cross. "Them" is also you and me. This great prayer on the cross certainly was for those who were crucifying Him first. In fact, many think if He had not prayed for them that this would have been unpardonable. Still we realize that the forgiveness of Christ is far greater reaching than just to those few at the foot of the cross. It reaches into the depths of human need to you and I. Father forgive them that will believe the Gospel and repent. "…for they know not what they do…" Some have wondered if Jesus had not prayed for them, if God would have killed them instantly for this deed. This act was done as a plot by the Jewish Sanhedrin to do away with what they perceived as a rival to their power. The crowd a few short days before they cried crucify had cried, "Hosanna" (Mark 11:9-10). They had now been carried away by the slight of men. Paul exclaimed in 1 Cor 2:8 concerning those who crucified Him, "…none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." Still my friends, ignorance does not excuse sin. This crowd was kept in ignorance by their leaders and in fact, probably thought they were doing God a favor by getting rid of this blasphemer. Notice now several days later when Peter preaches his great Pentecost sermon recorded in Acts 2:14ff; 2:22-23; 36-37; 41-42. Three thousand of those who were prayed for by Christ on the cross specifically were saved. Christ’s prayer was answered. Praise God for grace! Now, the greatest question anyone will ever ask you, "What will you do with Jesus?" What is your relationship to the Forgiving Savior? He died that we might live and lives that we may never die. Forgiveness can be had by calling on His name. He will save you if you will come to Him.