Lesson 32
"FATHER, FORGIVE THEM"
Luke 23:26-56
Key Verse: 23:34a
"Jesus said, `Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'"
Ø Jesus’ prayer reveals the meaning of his death; to forgive our sins and bring us back to his kingdom.
1. Read verse 26. Who was conscripted to carry Jesus' cross? Why might Jesus have needed help? What effect might this event have had on Simon of Cyrene?(Mk 15:21, Ro 16:13)
26As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
<Mk 15:21> A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.
<Ro 16:13> Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
Ø Jesus had no more strength to carry the cross due to the emotional strain of trials, hunger, flogging and bleeding. So the soldiers seized Simon from Cyrene and put it on him. He carried it for Jesus. Because of this, God saved his household; his wife and son Rufus.
2. Read verses 27-31. What did Jesus say to the wailing women? Why? What prophesy did he make about the future? What does it mean?
27A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' 30Then “ 'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!" 31For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
Ø A large number of people followed Jesus. Women mourned and wailed for Jesus. To them, Jesus looked too pitiful. They did not know why Jesus was suffering. Jesus was suffering due to their sins. Jesus asked them to weep for themselves and for their children. Jesus saw God’s severe punishment on those who do not repent. There will be no way for them to hide themselves. The only way is to repent of their sins. When we look at the cross of Jesus, instead of sympathized with Jesus, we must repent of our sins and pray for our children to repent of their sins. Jesus wants us to repent. On the day of God’s judgment, God’s wrath will fall on those who do not repent.
3. Read verses 32-34. Describe the crucifixion. Why did Jesus suffer and die like this? (1Pe 2:24b; Isa 53:6b, 12) Think about Jesus’ prayer to God on the cross. For what? For whom? Why? How does this prayer affect you?
32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
<1Pe 2:24> 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
<Isa 53:6, 12> 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors
Ø Two criminals were also led out with Jesus to be executed. At the Skull, they crucified Jesus and the criminals. Jesus was in the middle. Jesus was treated like a criminal. Jesus was naked. Jesus bore all our shame and guilt on the cross.
Ø Jesus was nailed on his hands and feet. Shocks of pain ran through his body. He was hung until he slowly and painfully died. Why? It was God’s will to punish him like that. God punished Jesus for all men. God’s righteous punishment and wrath fell on Jesus. He bore all our sins in his body. He became sacrifice offering.
Ø Jesus called God “Father.” Even though God punished him, he did not doubt the love of God. He maintained love relationship with God. We should never doubt God’s love upon us. Under God’s wrath and anger, Jesus prayed for forgiveness of sins. It was the purpose of Jesus’ coming. The only thing men need is forgiveness of their sins. God could not forgive our sins without paying high price. The price was the life of the Son of God. Jesus prayed to God for our forgiveness of sins. On the cross, Jesus declared our forgiveness of sins because God accepted his prayer and forgave everyone who believes in him. There is now no condemnation in Jesus Christ. Jesus prayed for those who were under the cross and for each of us too. Why? Jesus understood sinners very well. Sinners commit sins out of spiritual ignorance. There is no other way for us to be saved. Only Jesus’ unconditional forgiveness can save us from eternal punishment.
4. Read verses 35-43. What were the various kinds of responses toward Jesus who was dying on the cross? How was one man different? How did Jesus bless his faith? How do you look at Jesus’ cross?
35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." 36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." 38There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. "
43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Ø People were indifferent. They stood watching. The rulers sneered at Jesus. They said, “Save yourself.” The soldiers mocked Jesus. They said, “Save yourself.” One of the criminals hurled insults at Jesus saying, “Save yourself.” They did not know why Jesus did not save himself. Jesus did not save himself in order to save others. One criminal accepted Jesus by faith. He prayed to Jesus to save him. Jesus accepted his faith and prayer and promised to take him to his paradise: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” When I humbly accept what Jesus did for me on the cross and trust in him, Jesus will lead us into his paradise.
5. Read verses 44-46. What happened when Jesus was hung on the cross? What does this reveal about the meaning of his death? How did Jesus show his assurance of God's love for him and his total dependence on God?
44It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Ø The Sun stopped shining from sixth hour (12 noon) to ninth hour (3pm). Darkness came over the whole land. The power of darkness covered the whole world. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. The curtain of the temple represented separation between God and men due to men’s sins. Men could not come to God. One high priest could come to God once a year with animal’s blood. Jesus removed this wall of sin shedding his own blood. Jesus made us to come to God freely. We can have fellowship with God. We can be united with God. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. Jesus committed his spirit into God’s hands. Jesus put his absolute trust in God. We have to commit our spirit into God’s hands. Then God will take care of our life.
6. Read verses 47-49. What confession did the centurion make? Read verses 50-56. Who was Joseph and how did he show his faith? What is the meaning of the burial of Jesus? (44-56; Isa 53:9,10)
47The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." 48When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. 50Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
<Isa 53:9,10> 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
Ø The centurion was the executioner. He was a tough Roman soldier. But the death of Jesus melted his hardened heart and made him accept Jesus as a righteous man. He was the first believer after Jesus’ death on the cross. Joseph was a member of the Council. He was a good and upright man. When the Council agreed to crucify Jesus, he did not consent to their decision and action. He was waiting for the kingdom of God. He boldly went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. He risked his political life. He revealed himself as Jesus-believer. He buried Jesus in the tomb for himself. Jesus died and was buried for sinners. The wages of sin is death. He died for us. With our sins, he was buried. He was completely dead. It is the prelude to the glorious resurrection.
l Do you hear Jesus’ prayer for you?