Concerns From The Cross-1

CONCERNS From The CROSS-I

Mat. 27:33-54; Mk. 15:21-39; Lk. 23:33-49; Jn. 19:17-30

MATTERS of GREATEST SIGNIFICANCE

Significant Concerns of Jesus

As Jesus hung on the cross, He voiced particularly important concerns.

At the juncture of life & death, matters of greatest significance become our greatest concern.

At the juncture of life & death, matters of greatest significance are prioritized.

What matters are of greatest significance as evidenced from the Cross?

What are significant concerns of Jesus?

*Any matter of significant concern to Jesus is also of vital significance for us!

6 matters are of greatest significance as evidenced from the Cross.

6 Significant Concerns of Jesus from the Cross.

1— A Significant Concern of Jesus is...

One’s FORGIVENESS(Lk. 23:34)

Explanation: (Lk. 23:34)

Lk. 23:34—“Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

“Fore”—“Give”—To give before...Before the other’s response. Regardless of the outcome good or bad.

Immediately after the statement regarding Jesus’ crucifixion between the “criminals,” Luke records a declaration of Jesus directed toward His Father.

Jesus asks God, His Father, to “forgive them.” However, the identity of “them” is not clear, leaving the reader with at least 3 different possibilities...

1) It could be a general statement regarding the Jews for whom He had come to offer the kingdom of God.

*2)It could be a general statement regarding all involved in bringing about the crucifixion, including the romans.

3)It could be a specific statement regarding the soldiers directly responsible for the act of crucifixion.(probably not the case)

However the reason for Jesus’ seeking the Father’s forgiveness for others is clear.

It is sought because they were unaware of the ramifications of their own actions. In other words, Jesus did not want “them” to be ultimately condemned for their actions. Thus there is hope for them even though they have derailed their own means of God’s salvation...for the time being! While they have breath in them, they have potential to turn to God thru His Christ. This is true for all mankind.

“Forgive”—afihmi—1) To send away—1a) To bid going away or depart—1a1) of a husband divorcing his wife, 1b) To send forth, yield up, to expire, 1c) To let go, let alone, let be—1c1) To disregard, 1c2) To leave, not to discuss now, (a topic) 1c21) of teachers, writers & speakers, 1c3) To omit, neglect, 1d) To let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit, 1e) To give up, keep no longer; 2) To permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person; 3) To leave, go way from one. Strong—(to send; an intens. form of eimi, to go); To send forth, in various applications (as follow):-- Cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.

“Know”—eidw—1) To see—1a) To perceive with the eyes, 1b) To perceive by any of the senses, 1c) To perceive, notice, discern, discover, 1d) To see, 1d1) i.e. To turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything, 1d2) To pay attention, observe, 1d3) To see about something 1d31) i.e. to ascertain what must be done about it, 1d4) To inspect, examine, 1d5) To look at, behold, 1e) To experience any state or condition, 1f) To see i.e. have an interview with, to visit; 2) To know—2a) To know of anything, 2b) To know, i.e. get knowledge of, understand, perceive—2b1) Of any fact, 2b2) the force & meaning of something which has definite meaning, 2b3) To know how, to be skilled in, 2c) To have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to (1Th 5:12). To see with the mind’s eye, signifies a clear & purely mental perception.

“And they divided His garments & cast lots.”

The soldiers responsible for the crucifixion divided Jesus’ clothing. This was a perk of crucifiers that they have the last remaining possessions of the executed. Even the clothes on their backs were taken to further humiliate the doomed. They “divided” Jesus’ clothes into 4 parts so that each of them would have an equal share(Jn. 19:23-24). Thus there must have been 4 soldiers responsible for carrying out the crucifixion itself. Probably Jesus had a belt, sandals, robe(outer garment) & tunic. These 4 specifically gambled(“cast lots”) for Jesus’ tunic(worn next to the skin), as it was woven of one piece & without seam, from the top.

Argumentation:

Lev. 19:22—“‘The priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the LORD for his sin which he has committed. And the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven him.”

Mat. 6:9-15—““In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom & the power & the glory forever. Amen. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”