Cross Words

Cross words.. 7 last phrases from Jesus

Statement One “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34 forgiveness Statement Two “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43 Savior Statement Three “Woman, behold your son.” John 19:26 Provider Statement Four “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matthew 27:46 Greater Love Statement Five “I thirst!” John 19:28 Human Statement Six “It is finished!” John 19:30 Accomplished Statement Seven “Into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Luke 23:46 Humility

Luke 23:34, 43

These words piece together the words of Christianity: forgiveness for the unforgivable, salvation by faith alone, provision for those who loved him, the humanity of Chris, the fulfillment of Scripture, the humility of our sins on his back and the absolute truth of eternity for those who believe

Jesus tried twice.. falsely accused not found guilty by the government but beaten anyhow.. a whip

Carrying a cross up a hill.. 3 nails. A crown of thorns a spear in his side.. sour wine to his lips

Jesus Death starts with Prayer

Luke 23:34

Father, Forgive them, for they do not know what they do.

Jesus calls the Father

Jesus calls out to father.. he models a relationship to us.

A cry of love to the one He trusted most.

Jesus Focus on others

Forgive them, for they do not know what they do.

Ray Pritchard said about this particular cry from the cross...

Those tortured words sweep away all our shabby excuses. They reveal the barrenness of our heart; they rip the cover off our unrighteous anger and show it for what it is. Many of us say, “If only the people who hurt me would show some remorse, some sorrow, then maybe I would forgive them.” But since that rarely happens, we use that as an excuse to continue in our bitterness, our anger, and our desire to get even.

If Jesus can forgive the unforgivable things in me.. who am I not to forgive the unforgivable in my life?

Matthew 6:14 (ESV)

14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you

Matthew 18:21-23  (ESV)

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Everett worhington study forgivenesss hi whole life a clynical psychologist.

His mom was murdered in a home invasion. His brother arrived to the home first and for ten years suffered from ptsd and then took his life.. forgiveness for the murderer and self guilt

He had to practice what he had studied his whole life…

It releases stress.. it balances chemicals in our body.. it rids of us anger..causes less tension in our muscles ..lowers our blood pressure

Worthington states,

After an offense, we experience an “injustice gap”—an ongoing mental computation in which we balance the amount of injustice done to us with subsequent events related to the transgression. For example, the offender might make things seem more unjust, by continuing a pattern of hurts that shows no sign of ending. That would make the injustice gap even larger.

He says to Reach

Recall the hurt

Empathize.. sit in the chair of the other person and try to understand their viewpoint

Altruisum.. remember that you have hurt others too.. remember a time you have been forgiveness the offer that gift to the person who hurt you

Committ… publically forgive the person who hurt you

Hold on.. not forgetting the hurt but remind yourself that you made the choice to forgive..

Jesus reached into the world to show ultimate forgiveness

He was at complete peace as his human body gave up on him.. He did not give up on us..

Who is the they that you need to forgive?

Jesus was full of Mercy

Luke 23:32-34 (ESV)

32 Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”

Charged of Innocence

Luke 23:13-16 (ESV)

13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. 15 Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish and release him.”

Gambled his possessions

Luke 23:34b (ESV)

And they cast lots to divide his garments

Mocked him

Luke 23:35-39 (ESV)

. 35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” 39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

1 Peter 2:23 (ESV)

23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Jesus flawless example

Luke 23:40-43 (ESV)

40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

We are the thieves on the cross..

One wants off the cross

Blames others for their problems

Has no faith

Want everyone to suffer like them

The other wants to be known by Jesus

Doesn’t blame anyone for their problems

Admits their own guilt

Puts their full faith in Christ

John Calvin writes these words, “How clear was the vision of the eyes which dost see in death life, in ruin majesty, in shame glory, in defeat victory, in slavery royalty. I question,” Calvin continues, “if ever since the world began there has been so bright an example of faith.”