Words of Forgiveness & Hope

Our world can encourage entitlement.

Sometimes we feel we are “owed” something. This can lead to pride in some cases and taken to the extreme can lead to what we call “narcissism”.

We may feel like we don’t deserve anything.

The opposite is sometimes we feel like we don’t deserve anything. To the

We can be devoid of hope.

Either position can leave us hopeless as we start to realize this world will not either “give me what I am owed” or “ I could never measure up.

I could never forgive...

how would you finish the sentence? For some of us it is others. For almost all of us, including myself this morning, it is our selves.

We are taught: forgiveness must be earned.

This is what our world will tell us. This is what our own voices will tell us. This is what the enemy will tells us. But this is not what Scripture tells us.

Jesus offered forgiveness on the cross.

This is grace. As we read in Luke this morning we see that Jesus prays a prayer of forgiveness even though, or in spite of whether it was deserved. This doesn’t mean all have been forgiven but it reminds us that because of Grace we do not earn forgiveness it is given/received.

Jesus was mocked for not “saving” himself.

The word “save” shows up much in this passage. In fact, people want Jesus to save himself so he can save them, the one criminal. They see his willingness to die as proof he cannot save anyone. Yet, how far from the truth this could be.

The criminal knew he did not deserve grace.

Notice that he realizes he is getting what he rightly deserves. Jesus on the other hand did not get justice.

The criminal pleas for mercy and grace.

He hopes Jesus will remember him.

Jesus utters a promise of grace, mercy and hope.

The criminal didn’t deserve this. Yet, Jesus extended it. Alistair Begg sermon on the Man on the middle cross.

Forgiveness provides hope.

The second criminal realizes he must have at first been wrong and now utters a prayer. He is hoping that Jesus would remember him when the fullness of time comes.