Issue 1568 – Seven Sayings 3 – October 7, 2024
Good morning.
Let’s continue our exploration of the “Seven Sayings on the Cross” … The Word of Forgiveness”
… then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34a ESV
On Friday, we considered these words as a specific fulfillment of prophecy. We also looked at them as reflecting the holy character of God. A holy God cannot overlook any sin, not even sin that comes from ignorance.
There is a picture here of Jesus identifying with humanity most poignantly. As a man, even though He was sinless, He understood the power of temptation and evil and the brokenness of the human heart. The man understood that only God could forgive sins, and it was Jesus, the man on the cross. In his humanity, Jesus calls to God to forgive, and Jesus understands us.
Our text says, “then Jesus said” What was before the “then”? Humanity and Satan had done their worst.
Then Jesus calls for the forgiveness of His enemies. Here, we see His words from the Sermon on the Mount lived out in the most specific way.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… Matthew 5:43-44
These sinners were yet in the dark and unrepentant. In the days to come, some of them undoubtedly came to believe.
They were not ignorant of the fact that they were abusing and killing a man. They were not ignorant of the fact that they were mocking His claims. They knew they were killing the same man who had healed the sick, cast our demons, and raised the dead; the man whose teaching astounded them; the same man they had welcomed less than a week ago with cries of “Hosanna.”
What they did not understand was that they were rejecting God’s chosen one and sending Him to a most gruesome and painful death. That is the darkness of the human heart, the depravity of our soul. This was not a crowd of particularly “evil” people. For the most part, they were ordinary people. We see in them the heart of every person without God. Even in the midst of overwhelming evidence, they chose to reject Him.
What do we do with those who have sinned against us and are unrepentant? Do we forgive them? We cannot; we must turn them over to the one who most sinned against. In Matthew 5:44, we are commanded to pray for them. God may work a change of heart that we could never do.
When I said we cannot, it set alarm bells off for many of you. Remember, though, that what is impossible for man is not impossible for God. We cannot do so under our own power.
Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” These familiar words are easy enough to say but, in truth, so hard to do. In fact, impossible to do under our own power.
This command is totally contrary to the “wisdom” and practices of the world. Many people are proud of the fact that they carry unforgiveness and bitterness in their hearts. Many people live their entire lives without ever having been forgiven for things they have done and said, for slights both real and imagined.
Following this command is not always easy … but it isn’t hard to understand. It isn’t hidden in a parable or some vague word picture. It is a straightforward,… in our face… command from the Lord, meant to be obeyed. When we stumble in obeying, we can call on Him to lift us and carry us.
He died for you and me. Such incredible love ought to move our hearts to obedience. It should keep Him foremost in our minds.
Until we meet again, may God melt your heart to forgive those you can, carry no baggage against those you cannot, and cause you to lift even your enemies up in prayer.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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