Seven Sayings of the Cross (1)

Luke 23:34

WORDS OF FORGIVENESS

The undisputable fact of history is that Jesus died upon the Cross. On the cross, the ageless and eternal God came in the form and likeness of a man and suffered. While suffering from unbearable pain, Jesus was able to gather strength enough to make seven statements while being overcome physically. Often these are called the last Word’s of Jesus; that is not true be after his death and resurrection he said many things to his disciple teaching them about the Messianic kingdom. His first utterance upon the cross is both a decoration and a request: “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” 

Marcus Loane describes the scene for us:

Hardly had the nails been driven though hands and feet; hardly has the cross been planed upright on that bleak hill. His wounds were still red and bleeding; His pains were still raw and throbbing. Men had just done their worst; there hands were dyed with blood.[1]  

Now comes this first saying, it is a saying of forgiveness. Note the following characteristics of this intercession:

It was Intercession of His GRACE! Jesus does not speak a word of condemnation on His opponents. They did not deserve it. This gracious act was voluntary. He prayed it out of His own character to bring the world forgiveness by His grace. 

He offers His grace in forgiveness for the following reasons:

· He did so because they needed a pardon. Pardon is needed and out of His grace, he offers it.

· It is an offer of peace. The war between the sinner and God comes through unpardoned sin. We are justified by faith resulting in peace through the blood of the cross (cf. Col. 1:19-20).

· He did so for our prospect. The prospect of grace is hope. Our prospect without grace is hopelessness. We have been forgiven by grace through faith.

Forgiveness is a fact of pardon, resulting in peace, and the prospect of hope.

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[1] Marcus L. Loane, THE PLACE CALLED CALVARY, [Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 1956], 35.