FATHER, FORGIVE THEM 8-18-26
Few scenes in all of Scripture are more sacred than Calvary. There, while hanging upon the cross, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke seven statements that reveal something of His heart, His suffering, His love, and His purpose. These were not careless words spoken in the agony of death. Each statement carries meaning. Each points us to the Word of God. Each opens another window into the Savior who gave Himself for us.
In this series, we will consider these seven sayings from the cross, one at a time, and seek to hear again the voice of Jesus in His darkest hour. As we listen to His words, may we see more clearly the greatness of His sacrifice and the glory of the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.
I. FATHER, FORGIVE THEM
This is a statement made by our Lord while He was hanging upon the cross (Luke 23:34). The soldiers had taken Him, beaten Him, mocked Him, and nailed Him to that cruel tree. The crowd had cried out for His crucifixion. The religious leaders had rejected Him. Yet as He hangs there in agony, He looks upon those who are responsible and says, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” That has to be one of the greatest statements ever made. It has to reveal something of the heart of the One who came to save sinners. So let’s take a look.
I. THIS PRAYER REVEALS HIS COMPASSION
Jesus could have called for judgment, but He called for forgiveness. He could have asked the Father to destroy His enemies, but He asked the Father to forgive them. This was not weakness. This was compassion. He had taught His disciples to love their enemies and pray for those who persecuted them (Matthew 5:44). Now He practices what He preached. The cross shows us that Jesus truly came seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10).
II. THIS PRAYER REVEALS OUR CONDITION
The people who crucified Jesus did not understand the greatness of what they were doing. They were blind to the glory of the One hanging before them. Sin does that to a man. It blinds the mind and hardens the heart. Paul said that the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe (2 Corinthians 4:4). We should never forget what sin has done to us. We needed forgiveness because we were sinners.
III. THIS PRAYER REVEALS HIS CROSS
The wonderful thing about this prayer is that forgiveness would actually be made possible by the very death they were bringing about. He was not merely asking that their sin be overlooked. He was going to provide the sacrifice for sin. Peter later preached that through repentance and faith there could be remission of sins (Acts 2:38). The One who prayed, “Father, forgive them,” was dying so that forgiveness could actually be offered. What a Savior!
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Prayer: Father, help us to see the compassion of Christ and the seriousness of our sin. Thank You for the forgiveness provided through the blood of Jesus. Teach us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
BDD
