As we continue to learn about the true meaning of Easter, let’s take some time to stay focused on the cross of Jesus. On the cross Jesus said seven “last words.” They were sentences they teach us some very important truths. So over the next seven days, let’s listen to what Jesus said while he was on the cross and let’s think about how Easter makes what he said true.
Luke 23:34. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
The first thing Jesus said from the cross is this prayer for God to forgive the men who were literally nailing him to that cross. It’s hard enough to forgive people who say they’re sorry and ask for forgiveness. But Jesus is asking for forgiveness for people who don’t care about being forgiven at all. They are mocking Jesus and hurting him, and it doesn’t bother them one bit.
Jesus could have prayed for God to stop these men, to kill them even. He could ask God to strike them with lightning, or let the ground open up and swallow them, or send ten thousand angels to come and fight them all. But Jesus didn’t ask God to do any of that. He asked God to not count what they were doing (nailing Jesus to the cross) against them.
This is the most loving thing ever. To love even your enemy is the greatest of loves.
Do you think God forgives you like he did these men that were crucifying Jesus? The answer is that he does. How do we know? Because of the resurrection of Jesus. When Jesus rose from the dead it showed us that God was able to cancel all our sins – the same sins that Jesus died for. Do you believe that God has forgiven you? Well, did Jesus rise from the dead? Yes, he did. So that means God has forgiven you.
Do you really believe that God has forgiven you? One way to know if you really believe this is to ask yourself, “What do I do when I sin?” Do you beg God to forgive you over and over again? Or do you believe that God has already forgiven you? We aren’t forgiven by asking for forgiveness each time we sin; we are forgiven by God by the blood of Jesus shed for us on the cross. God’s forgiveness of us doesn’t come and go, just like Jesus doesn’t have to die over and over again every time we sin.
Do you really, really believe that God has forgiven you? Well, are you able to forgive others? People who know that they are forgiven by God usually are pretty good at forgiving other people too. Remember, nothing that anyone has ever done to you has ever been as bad as what you’ve done to God when you disobey him. And God has forgiven you. So why not forgive others?
Do you really, really, really believe that God has forgiven you? Well. What is your relationship with God like? Do you think God is keeping track of all your sins and mistakes? Are you always trying to make him happy by being more good than bad? Are you afraid to talk to God because you think he’s always mad at you for being bad? Well then you might not really, really, really believe that you are forgiven.
Father forgive them means that all of our sins have been sent away forever. God doesn’t keep track of them or count them against us ever again. Yes, Jesus will show us what we are doing wrong. But this is because he wants you to live in the freedom from selfish sin that our forgiveness gives us.
You: Do you believe that you are forgiven? How does the resurrection prove that we are?
You with Jesus: Is there anyone that you need to forgive today? Anyone that you need to ask for forgiveness?
Prayer: Father, I am just as guilty as those men who nailed Jesus to the cross. Thank you for forgiving me too. Help me to let my forgiveness lead me to being like Jesus. Amen.
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