Father, Forgive Them... Series

Father, Forgive Them

Luke 23:34

Luke 23:33a – And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him. These are the solemn words that Luke records concerning the crucifixion of our Lord. There is no great detail, just a simple statement, there they crucified him. This was the moment in time that forever changed humanity. It was there that the sin of mankind met redemption. It was upon the cross that the holy, sinless, eternal Son of God became our sacrifice, atoning for sin.

We cannot begin to imagine the agony that Jesus endured while upon the cross. The physical suffering would have been horrifying, but the presence of sin being laid upon Him would’ve been the worst. As Jesus hung upon the cross for six long hours, He uttered seven statements. In the final words of Christ, just prior to His death, we get a glimpse of His compassion, His obedience, and His commitment to fallen man.

Three of these sayings were addressed to God the Father. Four were addressed to man. The three addressed to God were prayers (1st, 4th, and 7th). Luke and John each record three of the seven accounts. Matthew and Mark only record one and they both record the same saying.

As we look toward Easter Sunday and the resurrection, I want to spend the next several weeks examining each of the seven sayings of Christ upon the cross. This morning we have read the first of these. Let’s take a few moments to consider the eternal truths revealed as Christ prayed unto His Father: Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

I. Words of Sovereignty – Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Jesus spoke sovereign words. Consider:

A. An Unnatural Request – We must keep in mind that Jesus was fully God and yet He was fully man. He felt the same emotions we feel. He felt the same pain we feel. He dealt with the same temptations we endure. This was an unnatural request for the humanity of Christ. The flesh doesn’t want to seek the good of the offender. It wants to bring retribution for the wrongs the aggressor has committed.

As Christ hung upon the cross, robed in human flesh, wrongly accused and beaten, He prayed for the Father to forgive the wrongs that were committed against His only begotten Son. How many of us could pray that prayer? How many of us would be willing if we could? Christ did!

B. An Unselfish Request – If this had been a mere man hanging upon the cross, he would likely have prayed for God to judge the injustice of the cross. Humanity would have wanted the Lord to pour out His wrath upon those who had committed such an atrocity. Our prayers would have been directed toward our needs and the desire to escape the suffering.

Christ was not concerned about His physical well-being. He did not pray for the suffering to end and His accusers be judged. He did not seek a means to escape this awful torture and death. He prayed for the needs of those who were responsible for His crucifixion. He prayed an unselfish prayer and died an unselfish death for the needs of all humanity. He realized this was the sovereign will of God and He must endure the cross.

C. An Unhindered Request – At this moment in time Christ was limited in His ministry. I say that with all due respect, but He was no longer walking among the multitudes. He was no longer healing the sick, raising the dead, calming storms or expounding the Word. He was separated from that aspect of ministry, but that doesn’t mean He was hindered in His request.

He was hanging upon the cross, beaten and bloody, but He still had power with God. He lived a perfect life, free of sin, and remained able to talk with the Father. Even though He was bound to the cross, committed unto death, Jesus exercised the power of prayer. What a challenge and encouragement to each of us. There is power in prayer!

II. Words of Sympathy – This was also a prayer of sympathy as Christ well understood the need of mankind. Notice:

A. His Persistence – Then said Jesus. The word said is translated from the Greek word lego and is in the imperfect tense. That simply indicates a continuous action. That confirms to us that Christ prayed this prayer more than one time. He maybe only spoke it audibly once, but He prayed Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do over and over and over again!

I can imagine as they threw Him to the ground to place Him on the cross, Jesus prayed this prayer. Likely as the spikes ripped through His flesh, He prayed forgive them. As the soldiers gambled for His garments, as the crowds mocked and railed, even spitting upon Him, and even as the sword pierced His precious side, He was praying this prayer! Christ continued to pray for those who had wronged Him. His wasn’t a brief and thoughtless prayer. He prayed over and over again for their forgiveness.