The Seven Sayings of Our Savior on the Cross #1-The Word of Forgiveness

The Seven Sayings of the Savior on the Cross
#1: The Word of Forgiveness
Luke 23:34

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

INTRODUCTION: The death of Jesus Christ on the cross is the single most important event in history. It is the crowning point of God’s redemptive plan and the line that divides those whose sins are forgiven and those who are not.

We will be studying the seven recorded sayings of the Savior from the cross during the next several Sundays. I believe it will be instructive and edifying to see the words God saw fit to record from our Savior at this crucial time.

This week we will look at the first “word” from our Savior on the cross, the word of forgiveness. Webster (1833) defines the word “forgive” this way:

“To pardon; to remit, as an offense or debt; to overlook an offense, and treat the offender as not guilty. The original and proper phrase is to forgive the offense, to send it away, to reject it, that is, not to impute it, [put it to] the offender.”

The Greek word, ephiemi, means essentially the same thing, the idea of not placing the rightful guilt on the person who has done the offence.

Forgiveness is one of the most wonderful words and truths in the Scriptures. To have your sins forgiven, to have your guilt assuaged is the great privilege that only the children of God own and understand. We will look at this great prayer for forgiveness from our Lord this morning.

I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS PRAYER.

A. While being crucified.

1. Already falsely tried
2. Beaten and humiliated by Roman soldiers

B. While being mocked.

1. The soldiers gambled for His clothes. Luk_23:34
2. The Jewish rulers ridiculed His saving power. Luk_23:35
3. The soldiers mocked Him verbally. Luk_23:36-37
4. The others being crucified Luk_23:39

“The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.” (Matthew 27:44)

C. Fulfilling prophecy.

Isaiah 53:12

(12) “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

D. Example of His own teaching
Matthew 5:44

(44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

II. THE CONTENT OF THIS PRAYER.

A. Prayed to the Father
B. Prayed for the forgiveness of sinners

1. Sinners who were wicked
2. Sinners who were ignorant

C. Not just for those present that day

John 17:20-21
(20) Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
(21) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

III. THE CONCLUSION OF THIS PRAYER.

A. God answered this prayer at Pentecost.

1. Through the preaching of the Word Act_2:22-24 Act_2:31-36
2. Through the convicting of the Spirit Act_2:37
3. Through repentance and faith Act_2:38-42

B. God is still answering this prayer today.

1. Through the preaching of the Word

Rom 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. “

1 Corinthians 1:18-21
(18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
(19) For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
(20) Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
(21) For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

2. Through the convicting of the Spirit Joh_16:8
3. Through repentance and faith Act_17:30

CONCLUSION:

“Father, forgive them; thus did He pray,
E’en while His life-blood flowed fast away.
Praying for sinners while in such woe,
No one but Jesus ever loved so!

Precious Redeemer, Blessed Redeemer,
Seems now I see Him on Calvary’s tree.
Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading -
Blind and unheeding – Dying for me.”

Jesus Christ prayed for sinners on the cross. Could it be that you were the one He was praying for? Come to the Savior today, repenting of your sin and trusting only in Him for salvation.