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Luke 23:32-34
We invite you to join us for worship each Sunday morning at 9:30. You can download our service on iTunes or tune in for “The Good Word” each day on AM 1230 WSAL or on Hoosier Country 103.7 FM just after 8am. This statement by Christ is the 1st of 7 He makes while on the cross. It is suggested that Christ could have said this either while he was being crucified, or very shortly thereafter. Question: what would you say in that same situation? The worst is yet to come – but even now The Savior is making a plea for God to be long-suffering toward the enemies of the cross. This is Christ’s prayer for His enemies. Someone will say – wait a minute, God loves everyone and He has no enemies! That’s only a half-truth which makes it a whole lie! Go to Mt.12:22-32. One of the major truths Jesus is pointing out here is that from God’s viewpoint there is no such thing as neutrality. Scripture makes it very clear that all those who say they are Christians or God’s children, must live a life and lifestyle that reflects the nature and character of Christ. Let’s look at:
- CHRIST’S PETITION – Father forgive them: A. Reveals The Lord’s compassion for sinners. The NIV translates exactly what Christ said. “Father, forgive them,” The word forgive carries with it the common meaning we think of today. But it goes further than that. The Greek form of the word forgive as spoken by Christ means, “release, or let go, (eternally) the debt, consequences, and bondage” of what they are doing. The word “eternally” is important because the verb form of the word forgive indicates no time limit. Remember this – you are going to die – and you can’t get out of it! Only God knows when, where, and how you’re going to die! We had a tendency to think death is in our distant future. We do that for 2 reasons: 1st we don’t like to think about death and dying. The real question is: are you fully prepared to step into eternity, if God calls you, listen – right now? The 2nd reason we don’t like to think about death is it gives us reason to procrastinate. The real question is: are you fully prepared to step into eternity, if God calls you, listen – right now? Here’s another question for you – if you call yourself a Christian upon what Scripture or doctrine of Scripture are you betting you have all the time you want? Here’s a truth for you to think about: people your age die every day! In fact somebody your age will die today – how do you know it won’t be you?B. The petition also reveals The Lord’s commitment to sinners. Read John 15:12 – 17.The Lord Jesus Christ was as committed to your redemption while He was on the cross – as He is committed to you today to form you into His image! So that brings us to the obvious question that we must each answer all day every day. The question is: are you as committed to Christ as He is to you?
- CHRIST’S PROVOCATION – they do not know what they’re doing. Even while being nailed to – and hanging on the cross, Christ is interceding to The Father on behalf of sinful man. One of the effects of sin is that it leaves us totally void of all spiritual good before God. Read Jer. 17:9. The 2nd reason Jesus said these people did not know what they were doing is because sin makes is totally unable to do any spiritual good before God. Read Isa. 64:6, 7. What Scripture tells us sin leaves us totally void of all spiritual good before God; and that sin makes us totally unable to do any spiritual good before God, we are being taught the doctrine of total depravity. In His pain, sorrow, loneliness, and agony, Christ did not scream and curse – but He loved and prayed for His enemies. He was living Matt. 5:44, 45-love your enemies. Scripture tells us we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us – so we can love and pray for our enemies as well can’t we?
If we can help you answer your spiritual questions, call us at (574) 643-9419.
