ITRODUCTION:
Our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ had uttered seven sayings when He was hanging on the Cross. Generally we meditate each of these seven sayings separately. We look at each saying as though it is special and has no relation to the other six sayings. But, if we look at these seven sayings collectively in the same order as spoken by the Lord, God’s great plan in those sayings will be revealed in front of our spiritual eyes. The Lord did not utter these seven sayings in a random order. He spoke them with lot of care, in a systematic order, one by one, in a way which reveals the eternal plan, which, God the Father has for human beings. If the Lord had not uttered them in the same order, we would not have known the real glory in those sayings. If we look at those sayings just on the surface, we will see them as being spoken by the Lord, some with the Father, one with the disciple, one with the thief, and so on. We will meditate them only in that perspective. As a result of that, we can only know some of the truths visible to our eyes, not knowing the deeper meanings in those sayings. But if we see those seven sayings in the same order as spoken by the Lord, collectively and not separately, we can find seven great works, which are to be accomplished in their own order according to God’s eternal will. These seven works are God’s seven plans for those who are being saved. There is a hidden God’s work represented in every saying of the Lord. Now, we are going to meditate upon these very seven works with the help of the Holy Spirit.
THE FIRST SAYING:
“FATHER FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING” – LUKE 23:34
This is the first saying of Lord Jesus on the Cross, spoken to the Father. The connection between God and human beings has been broken due to sin. Forgiveness of sins is the first work in the process of re-establishing the connection between God and human beings which has been broken by sin. Seven works had to be accomplished to re-establish the connection between God and human beings in full fledge, i.e. at the glorious level, which God had intended before the foundation of this world. These seven works are represented in these seven sayings of the Lord on the Cross. First work is represented in the first saying. It is Forgiveness of sins. The first work in the re-establishment of the connection between God and human beings is Forgiveness of sins.
If you want to start a relationship with God, firstly, you have to receive forgiveness for your sins. By the forgiveness of sins, you will start a living spiritual relationship with God. In the first saying of the Lord, we can find how this precious forgiveness of sins is granted to us. The Lord spoke these words for the sake of those who tortured, mocked, and crucified Him. The Lord pleaded with the Father to forgive them.
Those people were not the only ones to torture Lord Jesus. We too, by our sins have tortured Him. It is because of our sins that He went through all that torture. Just as the Lord then pleaded with the father on the Cross to forgive them those who were torturing Him, He is now pleading with the Father to forgive even our sins. Lord Jesus spoke these words at the time in which He was offering up Himself as a sin offering on the altar called Cross for the forgiveness of the sins of humankind. Even now He is speaking the same words for our sake.
Lord Jesus is pleading the Father for our sake. The Father is forgiving us because the Lord is asking Him to forgive our sins. The Father will not forgive us if we ask for forgiveness by ourselves. God the Father will not accept our own sacrifice for our sins. He will only accept the sacrifice of Lord Jesus for us. We received forgiveness only because Lord Jesus asked to forgive us. We should not forget this truth. Every time we commit sin and go to God to ask forgiveness, we should remind Him not of our righteous deeds, or our sacrifices, or our labors in ministry, but only of the love and the sacrifice of Lord Jesus on the Cross.
No matter how much we were useful to God, when we sin we should remind only Lord Jesus to the Father for the forgiveness of our sins, but not of our worthiness and our work. Those who are careful to do like this will be forgiven abundantly. We should not forget the circumstances in which we came to the Cross. Just because we did some good works, or ministry, we will not become worthy of God’s forgiveness. The fact of God forgiving us will forever be dependant on Lord Jesus. This is eternal truth. We will definitely receive reward for the good works and ministry that we have done. But the forgiveness of our sins is only the result of the sacrifice of Lord Jesus on the Cross.
Next, we will concentrate on the words, “for they do not know what they are doing”. Lord Jesus did not say, “Father, forgive them”, but said, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing”. This is an important thing we should take notice of. The Roman soldiers did not know that they are crucifying none other than the Son of God. The High Priests of the Jews did not know that the One Whom they have handed over was the One Who created them. They knew not at all that Lord Jesus is the Great Glorious God. They did not know that through Him the whole creation came into being. They did not know that they were torturing and insulting the One Who is maintaining and controlling this great universe. They did not know that the One Whom they were scolding and mocking is the Great Holy Son of God, Whom the Archangels fear to see. They knew not these things.
They knew not at all that He was offering up Himself as sacrifice for their sins according to the will of God. They did not know that they were trying to do the most foolish work of killing the One Who is the source of this creation. There is no human being who had seen Jesus Christ, the Son of God in His full glory.
But, the fallen angels know well the full glory of Jesus Christ. They saw Him with their own eyes. They experienced His holiness. They know about His power more than human beings. Many times they stood before the Throne of the Son of God in Heaven. Those angels tasted the powers of Heaven. Knowingly they had revolted against God along with Lucifer. They fell in sin. They knew fully what they were doing. But still they dared. Permanently they lost the forgiveness of sins. But the situation of human beings is different. They do not know about God, and His glory and power, as well as the fallen angels do. They do not know the real glory of the One Whom they are rebelling against. Therefore forgiveness of sins still remains for human beings. This is the reason why Lord Jesus is pleading with the Father, “Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Now we have understood the depth of His love. Human beings may not have yet seen His full glory. But we have understood how vast His grace is. If we neglect His love, we will receive the same punishment that the fallen angles had received. We are living in the times of forgiveness. We do not know how long we will live in this world. Therefore, while you are still alive, while you still have time, accept the forgiveness of sins and salvation which God had prepared for you. On that day Lord Jesus pleaded with the Father with great pity and compassion to forgive the sins of those who were persecuting Him because they were innocent and do not know the truth.
This day, Lord Jesus is pleading in the same manner even for you. Thinking that you do not know any thing and that you are innocent, Lord Jesus is having pity and compassion for you. Will you neglect Him? Will you neglect His spotless love? Right now receive the forgiveness of sins He is giving you. If you receive this forgiveness of sins, you can see more glorious things which God had kept hidden for you.
Repent. Ask for forgiveness. You will receive forgiveness of sins by the Blood that the Lord had shed on the Cross. Can those who have enmity be together? If your sins are not forgiven, it is like there is enmity between God and you. Remember that as long as you do not ask God to forgive your sins through Jesus Christ, there will be enmity between God and you. If you want your relationship with God to begin, then enmity should be removed. That happens only through forgiveness of sins. Lord Jesus hanged on the Cross only to remove the enmity between God and you.
Seeing Lord Jesus, remembering Him, and for His sake God desires to make peace with you. God did not find anything in you to see you and forgive you. Lord Jesus is advocating on behalf of you. Jesus Christ is your support. Because of Lord Jesus you can ask God boldly for forgiveness. Will you neglect Lord Jesus, who had sacrificed so much for you? If you do like that, the wrath of God will come upon you. God is not unjust. But He is showing longsuffering towards you. Receive Lord Jesus. Receive forgiveness. Make peace with God. Start a new relationship with Him.
