Words Matter: A Plea for Forgiveness

Easter 2023

Words Matter: Seven Life-Altering Statements

Message One

Luke 23:32-34.

ETS: Jesus requested forgiveness for those crucifying Him.

ESS: Forgiveness is offered for sinners.

OSS: [Devotional] {I want the hearers to worship God because of the forgiveness available to them in Jesus.} Cognitive: Affective: Psycho-Motor:

PQ: What lessons can be learned from this statement?

UW: Lessons

Intro.: [AGS]: Have you ever heard this statement? “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me!” If you have been on the receiving side of hurtful words, you understand that this statement is not true. Have you ever been hurt by someone’s words? What about this- have you ever been positively impacted by someone’s words? Perhaps encouraged or comforted? [TS]: Jesus spoke seven life-altering statements while He hung upon the cross. Over the next several weeks, we are going to study those statements as we prepare to worship Him as the resurrected Savior. Today’s statement is one where Jesus is issuing a plea for forgiveness for those who were crucifying Him. WOW! What a plea! [RS] Perhaps you are tempted to respond and say, “Wow, I could never forgive like that.” Or maybe like this, “How could they crucify the Savior?” Yet, what we understand through the Scriptures is that we are just as sinful as those who crucified our Savior, Jesus, and I am thankful that He cries a plea of forgiveness for our lives just as He did for the lives of those who crucified Him.

TS: Let us examine together a few lessons learned from this statement now:

The first lesson is the need for compassion. (v. 34b) (1 Cor. 2:8; Mt. 9:36)

Jesus stated that the those he requested forgiveness for did “not know what they were doing”

Concerning which, Albert Barnes wrote, “It is not quite certain whether he referred to the Jews or to the Roman soldiers. Perhaps he referred to both. The romans knew not what they did, as they were really ignorant that he was the Son of God, and as they were merely obeying the command of their rulers. The Jews knew, indeed, that he was innocent, and they had evidence, if they would have looked at it, that he was the Messiah; but they did not know what would be the effect of their guilt; they did not know what judgements and calamities they were bringing down upon their country.” (Albert Banes, Notes on the New Testament: Luke and John, ed. Robert Frew. London: Blackie and Son, 1884-1885, 156)

Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 2:8 that had they known what they were doing they would not have crucified Him.

Jesus was compassionate upon those present at the cross because of their ignorance- no matter to what degree or for what reason they were ignorant. Each of us were once ignorant. We simply did not know. I am thankful that when God looked upon the crowds as recorded in Mt. 9:36 that he did not condemn, but rather had compassion.

APPLICATION: There are those who are yet to believe, and we cannot expect them to behave, to live, or to speak as though they “know better”. A school administrator was prepping his staff at the beginning of a school year, and he called them together and warned them to give compassion and grace understanding that some students simply do not know how to behave because they have never been taught. We cannot expect unbelieving people to act like believing people. We must extend compassion.

The second lesson is the need for forgiveness. (vv. 32-34)

Jesus cried out to God from the cross requesting forgiveness on behalf of those crucifying Him. Wow! What grace and love. A moment that, per human standard, fully warranted His condemnation and perhaps rebuking was turned into a moment that would result in the salvation of many simply because Jesus forgave. His mercy was more than their mockery. Romans 5:20.

The mockery that would come insisted that Jesus was not truly the Messiah or able to save Himself; yet, Jesus willingly took on the suffering, and amidst it all- forgiveness was upon His heart and lips. Jesus’ prayer of intercession on behalf of those in the crowd and crucifying Him is fulfillment of Isaiah 53:12.

Who is in need of forgiveness, though? And exactly is included in “them” as Jesus requests forgiveness? Leon Morris wrote, “He does not define narrowly those for whom he prays and his them probably includes both the Jews who were responsible for the crucifixion and the Romans who carried it out (cf. Acts 2:23; 3:17; 13:27; 1 Cor. 2:8).” (Leon Morris, Luke: An Introduction and Commentary, Vol. 3. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988, 345.)

APPLICATION: Regardless of one’s role in sin or offense, whether the one planning or the one doing, both are in need of forgiveness. All are sinners. (Rom. 3:10 and Rom. 3:23) Aren’t you thankful for Jesus’ forgiveness in your life?

The third lesson is the need to follow. (v. 34)

Jesus laid forth a foundational example to follow. (1 Pt. 2:21)

Here, the example is that of compassion and of forgiveness. For as many have been forgiven, we must forgive. If we fail to forgive, so will our Father forgive not our sins. (Mt. 6: 14-15)

William Barclay wrote, “There is nothing so lovely and nothing so rare as Christian forgiveness. When the unforgiving spirit is threatening to turn our hearts to bitterness, let us hear again our Lord asking forgiveness for those who crucified him…others may have in their hearts the unforgiving spirit, others may sin in ignorance; but we know better. We are Christ’s men and women; and we must forgive as he forgave.” (William Barclay, “The Gospel of Luke” in The New Daily Study Bible. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2017, 338-339).

McArthur observed that the text represents the great contrast between the way of the world and the way of the Father: the merciless mockery of those crucifying Jesus; the merciful cries of Jesus. (John McArthur, “Luke 18-24” in The McArthur New Testament Commentary. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2014. 381-385).

APPLICATION: As believers, we need to follow after the pattern of our Lord and Savior, King Jesus. He was without fault and laid a perfect foundation for us to glorify the Father and impact the world. He chose forgiveness.

CONCLUSION:

[1] Have you experienced the life-altering forgiveness of King Jesus? No matter what you have done, He is tender and compassionate; slow to anger, and abounding in faithful love (Ps. 103:8) He forgave those who crucified Him, and He will forgive you, too.

[2] Have you extended the life-altering forgiveness of King Jesus? For as many of us who are believers, once we have experienced the forgiveness of Jesus, we should be quick to extend the forgiveness of Jesus to others. A failure to forgive truly only hurts the one withholding forgiveness.