Good morning. If you were unable to be with us last week, we began a new series that takes a look at the final sayings of Jesus as He hung on the cross. Now last week served just as an introduction to these 7 sayings, and in the next few weeks as we approach Easter, we are going to be looking at these sayings and taking some life principle from each of them. Today, we are going to focus our attention on just the first saying, but in other weeks, we will focus on a couple of the sayings at a time that Jesus uttered from the cross.
Before we move on though this morning, let’s begin our time with a word of prayer.
In times of crisis priorities become clearer. When someone’s spouse is diagnosed with terminal cancer, the dents in the fender of the car seem less significant. When someone is lying in a hospital bed, a clean house no longer matters. When a close friend is hit by a car, your dirty car no longer needs washed. When a child is sick and you don’t know what is wrong, the report card they brought home last week no longer has significance.
As we are beginning to take a look at Jesus’ last words, we find that last words are something that everyone looks for. Families and friends always press to listen to the words of a dying loved one, then, they share those last words with others. But why is that? Well, it is because the words of a dying person are those closest to their heart. Those who love them know that the end I near and that any of these words could be their last. These final words are in a way a person’s heart cry. In much the same way, the sayings of Jesus from the cross are also His heart cry to us.
Just as a reminder, each week, I want to share with you each of these statements and the themes on Jesus’ heat for those 6 hours that Friday as He was on the cross. Here is what Jesus had to say on the cross in His final words:
In Luke 23:34 we see forgiveness as Jesus says, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
In John 19:26-27 we see the importance of family as Jesus says, ““Dear woman, here is your son, and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.””
In John 19:28 we see the fragileness of life when Jesus says, “I am thirsty.”
In Matthew 27:46 we see forsakenness and unjust suffering as Jesus asks, “My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?”
In Luke 23:43 we see the future hope of Heaven when Jesus says “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
In John 19:30 we see a finality and the significance of the cross when Jesus says, “It is finished.”
And in Luke 23:46 we see the faith that Jesus displays as He says, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
Now, today, we are going to focus our attention on the forgiveness that Jesus extends to people. Go ahead and turn with me to Luke 23:32-37. Here in this passage, we see Jesus asking God to forgive the very people that are beating and killing Him. Listen to what it says. Luke 23:32-37 tells us that, “1”
Well, I think that Jesus’ final statement “Father forgive them…” shows us 4 very important things about forgiveness. And that is what we are going to look at this morning. We are going to focus on 4 principles that we can apply to our lives about the idea of forgiveness as presented to us in Jesus’ statement, “Father forgive them…”
First, Forgiveness Reaches Out To The Undeserving.
I mean think about that for a moment. Who did Jesus extend forgiveness to? Jesus’ words here in this saying were directed toward the Roman soldiers. Do you remember all that they had done to Jesus? Turn with me to Luke 22:63-65 for a moment and see what they were doing to Jesus. Here is what it has to say, Luke 22:63-65 says, “1”
You see, they were mocking Him, they blindfolded and made fun of Him, and worse of all, they were beating Him. They beat Him, and He blessed them by asking for their forgiveness.
In another of Jesus’ statements from the cross, we see that He extended forgiveness even to one of the criminals on the cross beside Him when He told him, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” In that story, there were 2 thieves. One became bitter, and joined in, in insulting Jesus. The other became better, as Jesus extended forgiveness to him.
We have something in common with each of these groups of people. And that is that God extends forgiveness to us, even though we are extremely undeserving. Jesus forgave not because of who these people were, but because of Who He was. And still today, we are not forgiven because of who we are or what we do, but because of Who Jesus is.
So the first thing that we need to realize is that forgiveness reaches out to the undeserving.
Second, Forgiveness Comes From God The Father.
In Jesus’ plea, He does not forgive the people Himself. Instead He says, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus Himself asks the “Father” to forgive these people. But why is that? Well I believe it is because a sin against any other person was, and still is, a sin against God. And forgiveness comes from the minds and the heart of God.
When you read the story about the Prodigal Son, in Luke 15:21, the son says, “…Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you…”
And as you read about Joseph being tempted to sleep with Potiphar’s wife in Genesis 39:9 he says, “How then can I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” You see, by sleeping with Potiphar’s wife, he would have been sinning against Potiphar. But he would also have been sinning against God as well.
But when you sin against someone, you don’t just go to God for forgiveness. The offender should seek forgiveness from both the offended and from God. When someone has done something wrong to you, the simple act of them coming to you asking for forgiveness goes a long way in mending the broken relationship. But that person also needs to seek God’s forgiveness as well.
In Ephesians 4:32 it says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.” Now, as we look at that passage, I believe that our vertical relationship with God should control our horizontal relationships with others. You see, because of the relationship that we have with God, we know that He has extended forgiveness to us. Because of that, we need to extend that same kind of forgiveness to those around us.
But why do we forgive? We should forgive people because they need it. When someone has done something wrong, and they are seeking forgiveness, they are truly trying to make things better, and they need for us to forgive them.
They also deserve our forgiveness. When a person humbles themselves to ask for forgiveness, they deserve for you to forgive them. And even if you don’t think that they deserve it, remember this: God forgave us, even though we didn’t deserve it. Most importantly, we forgive them because God has forgiven us. And because of that, we find that forgiven people are to be forgiving people as well. And all of that starts with the Father.
So, we find that forgiveness reaches out to the undeserving, forgiveness comes from god the Father, and Thirdly, Forgiveness Does Not Always Change The Offender.
The scripture never indicates any positive response by these soldiers that Jesus extends forgiveness to except for one. Instead, the soldiers gambled for Christ’s clothes and seemed oblivious to His sacrifice for them. They were so caught up in the EVENTS of their lives that they missed the EVENT of their lives. To biggest thing that they could ever be a part of, and they allowed it to pass right by them with no effect on them.
Now I don’t think that it was just these soldiers that day that didn’t get what was taking place. I think that even Christians who have the Lord’s forgiveness in their lives can focus on their own hearts and become callous to others we are called to forgive. We are so focused on ourselves, that we don’t take time to extend that same kind of forgiveness that God is giving to us to those who have offended us.
But I believe that the depth of our relationship with God is directly tied to how we forgive others. Turn with me to Matthew 18:21-35. Here in this passage is a parable that Jesus shared about an unmerciful servant. Listen to what this has to say, and tell me that God doesn’t expect us to forgive others. Here in Matthew 18:21-35 it says, “2”
Now, even if it does not change the offender, we still need to extend forgiveness to those who need it. And because God has extended forgiveness to us, we need to do the same for those around us.
So, forgiveness reaches out to the undeserving, forgiveness comes from God the Father, forgiveness does not always change the offender, and finally this morning, The Forgiven Must Learn To Forgive.
Forgiveness is never cheap. It always costs something to forgive. It cost Jesus His life to be able to extend forgiveness to us for our sins. And all that God wants in return is for us to accept that forgiveness and come to a relationship with Him. And part of that relationship means that we will become forgiving people as well.
We are called to imitate Christ, and in order to imitate Christ, we need to be willing to forgive others. If ever we think that the Father just casually dismisses and forgives our sins, all we have to do is look to Calvary, and that will prove us wrong.
At so, the challenge is to be a forgiving person because of the fact that you have been forgiven. But what might forgiveness cost us? And what might it cost us if we don’t forgive? First, turn with me to Galatians 6:7. In the passage that surrounds this verse it is talking about, doing good to all. Listen to these words. Galatians 6:7 says, “…A man reaps what he sows.” If you will be a forgiving person, you will also receive forgiveness yourself.
Now turn over to Matthew 6:14-15. As we read this passage, it lays it out clearly as to what the cost of forgiveness is and what the cost of not forgiving would be. Here is what it has to say: Matthew 6:14-15 says, “3”
If you will forgive others, then God can forgive you. However, if you hold you anger, and you keep a grudge and do not forgive those who have offended you, then you will not be able to receive the forgiveness from God.
And finally this morning, turn to Matthew 5:21-22 with me. Here in this passage it is in a way talking about your attitude. Listen to this passage: Matthew 5:21-22 says, “3”
You see, you are not what you think you are. However, “What you think, you are!” Now let me explain that for you. In that passage that we just read, we found that you attitude is equal to your actions. So if you say you forgive someone, but your actions do not support hat forgiveness, then you really have not forgiven them. So, you are not what you think you are. But, what you think, you are!
So, this morning, we find that: First, Forgiveness Reaches Out To The Undeserving, Secondly, Forgiveness Comes From God The Father, Thirdly, Forgiveness Does Not Always Change The Offender, and Fourthly, The Forgiven Must Learn To Forgive.
Hopefully as we have taken a look at this saying of Jesus’ and several supporting scriptures, we have all learned some valuable lessons regarding forgiveness. Now is when the challenge becomes real. Because in a few minutes we are going to walk out those doors and have the opportunity to live this message out. The choice is yours.
Because you have been forgiven, will you now be forgiving as well?
Let’s Pray |
