HOW DO YOU FORGIVE?
Luke 23:32-38 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying,
Jesus' last words from the cross were WORDS OF MERCY. For HIS EXECUTIONERS He prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). To the PENITENT THIEF hanging beside Him He said, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise" (v. 43). TO HIS MOTHER He said, "'Woman, behold your son!' Then he said to THE DISCIPLE [John], 'Behold, your mother!' And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household" (John 19:26-27). Like his Master, STEPHEN PRAYED for those who were taking his life, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" (Acts 7:60).
As He was dying on the cross, Jesus prayed for those who placed Him there.
I. THE WONDER OF THE ADDRESS.
Luke 23:34 “ Then said Jesus, Father,....”
Jesus addressed GODAS “FATHER”. (Our Father Who Art In Heaven)
Rom 12:14-15 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Three Times Jesus Talked To HIS FATHER From the CROSS.
(A). WHEN OUR LORD COMMENCED HIS SUFFERING..
Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them;....”
1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1. He was arrested Illegally 2. All Legal Rights were taken from Him. 3. No Human Rights, Civil Rights. If this had been the case with you would you have been able to say “FATHER FORGIVE THEM”?
((B). WHEN OUR LORD WAS CONTINUING HIS SUFFERING.
Matthew 27:46 “My God, My God, why hast thou FORSAKE ME?
(C). WHEN OUR LORD COME OUT FROM HIS SUFFERING
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost
Is Your Faith Shaken by “WICKEDNESS OF SINNERS”, (Luke 23:35-37 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. ) or the “WEAKNESSS OF THE SAINTS” Peter and all the disciples had forsaken Him.....
II. THE WORDING OF THE APPEAL.
Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them;....”
Why Did Jesus Word His Appeal In Such A Way?
(A). HE WAS PERFORMING GOD’S WORD.
Isa 53:12 ...... “ because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
JAMES AND JOHN - DESTROY LIVES.
Luke 9:52-56 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the SON OF MAN IS NOT COME TO DESTROY MEN'S LIVES, but TO SAVE THEM.
(B). HE WAS PRACTICING WHAT HE PREACHED.
Matt 5:44 But I say unto you, 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;
1. Do you PREACH FORGIVENESS and PRACTICE HATE?
PAUL SAID:
Rom 12:14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Matt 6:15 But if ye FORGIVE NOT men their trespasses, NEITHER will your Father forgive your trespasses.
PETTER AND FORGIVNESS.
Matt 18:21-22 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till SEVEN TIMES? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
(C). THIS WAS THE PURPOSE OF HIS DEATH.
Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Matt 18:11 For the Son of man IS COME TO SAVEthat which was lost.
John 12:47 I came not to judge the world, but TO SAVE THE WORLD.
- The Message Of The Gospel, was the “burden of sin”, “the weight of sin”, “the guilt of sin”, ... can be forgiven. (FORGIVENESS IS WHAT THE CROSS WAS ALL ABOUT...... Forgiveness was not CHEAP.)
III. THE WARMTH OF THE ARGUMENT.
Luke 23:34 ..... “for they know not what they do.”
1. Why did Jesus Argue on their behalf, to His Father , Why Judgment shouldn’t fall.
(A). THEY WERE IGNORANT OF HIS PERSON.
Luke 23:37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
Luke 23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, IFHE BE CHRIST, THE CHOSEN OF GOD.
1.We KNOW WHO JESUS IS, we have 2000 years of church history. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us and to convict us. We have CHURCHES on every corner, Preacherstell about Him.
2. IGNORANCE is NO EXCUSE for not KNOWING WHO JESUS IS.
(B). THEY WERE IGNORANT OF THEIR OWN ACTIONS.
Luke 23:35 He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
Luke 23:38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
(C). THEY WERE IGNORANT OF THEIR SINS.
Heb 10:11-13 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this MAN, (Jesus) after he had offered one sacrifice for sinsfor ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
- Jesus IS the SIN OFFERING...... “The Lamb Of God”.
IV. THE WEIGHT OF THE ANSWER.
Judgment did NOT COME!
Acts 3:17-23 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
How Do You Forgive? “Father Forgive Them for They KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO”
He cleansed the spotted leper;
He opened blinded eyes;
He walked on troubled waters,
Astounded passers by,
Forgave the sinful woman, Raised Lazarus from the dead,
Took bread from one small basket, And then ten thousand fed.
He’s the Oak, and I’m the ivy.
He’s the Potter; I’m the clay.
He’s the Oil; I’m just the vessel.
I’m the traveler; He’s the Way.
I’m the flower; He’s the Fragrance.
I’m the lamp, but He’s the Flame.
He’s the words I sing to music;
I’m the bride who claims His name.
Sweet Jesus, sweet Jesus, what a wonder You are.
You’re brighter than the morning star.
You’re fairer, much fairer
Than the lily that grows by the wayside;
Precious, more precious than gold.