Last Words: Forgiveness

Introduction

We are now just about 8 weeks out from Easter.

For much of the church, we are about to enter into a season known as Lent, which begins this Wednesday with Ash Wednesday.

As Baptists, we do not normally observe these parts of the church calendar, out of what has been known to be rigid traditionalism. However, these things, while we must be on guard to not let them become merely religious practices, can be good things to direct our hearts to focus on the good news of Christ, the glory and holiness of God, and the utter sinfulness of our hearts and the need for repentance and to receive God’s grace freely offered to us through Christ.

That is what this season is about as we prepare our hearts to focus on the great work that Christ has come to accomplish on our behalf.

It reminds us of what Christ has come to do and to realize that what He has done is not a mere example, but He has actually accomplished the work of salvation on our behalf.

So for the next seven week as we approach Easter, we are going to be focusing on this work of Christ on the cross and listen to the last words He spoke while on the cross.

So as we pick up here in Luke 23, Christ has already gone through His last supper with His disciples where they celebrated the Passover. After dinner they went out to the garden singing hymns and spending time in prayer. It is here where Jesus prayed that the Father might let this cup pass from Him, but ultimately, He wanted to submit to the Father’s will.

After the time of prayer, Judas comes out ready to betray Him with a kiss and hand Him over to the religious authority. Jesus is arrested and put through hours of an illegal trial. And then beaten and mocked and the crowd demanded His crucifixion and asked for Jesus to be crucified in the place of a violent murderer. So Jesus has been forced to carry His own cross up to Calvary. His disciples have abandoned and forsaken Him. The women who followed Him are weeping and mourning for Him.

And Jesus is hung upon the cross like a common criminal even though He had not committed any sin, much less any law.

Read Luke 23:32-38

Luke 23:32–38 ESV

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 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. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 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!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Jesus’ Prayer Shows Us We Are Sinners

Jesus’ Death Shows Us God’s Love For Us

Jesus’ Offer of Forgiveness Must be Received by Faith

Jesus’ Offer of Forgiveness Must Be Shared With Others