The Power of the Cross Week 3: The Cost of Forgiveness

WEEK 3

The Cost of Forgiveness

Jesus forgave even those who crucified Him.

Text: Luke 23:33–34 (CSB)

INTRODUCTION

Over the last two weeks, we’ve stood at the cross.

Week 1 — we saw the message of the cross. Week 2 — we felt the weight of sin.

Today, we move even closer.

Because once you understand the weight of sin, you begin to understand the cost of forgiveness.

Let’s return to that old barn.

The farmer showed me something new this week.

There are axe marks along that central beam.

Deep grooves.

Scars from shaping.

He said, “That beam didn’t just grow into that shape. It had to be cut. Trimmed. Wounded. Shaped to fit where it now stands.”

It didn’t become useful without scars.

And forgiveness does not come without wounds.

Let’s read our text.

“When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided his clothes and cast lots.” (Luke 23:33–34)

Those words are astonishing.

“Father, forgive them.”

Not after resurrection. Not after relief. Not after apology.

But while the nails were still in His hands.

Forgiveness is costly.

I. FORGIVENESS IS COSTLY

Forgiveness always costs someone.

If someone damages your property, someone pays.

If someone crashes into your vehicle, someone absorbs the expense.

Either they pay — Or you absorb the loss.

Forgiveness means choosing to absorb the cost.

On the cross, Jesus absorbed it.

Hebrews 9:22 says:

“Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

Sin demands payment.

Matthew 26:28 — at the Last Supper — Jesus said,

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

Forgiveness is not free.

It is freely given to us.

But it was not free for Him.

Ephesians 1:7 says,

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses…”

Blood. Wounds. Crushing. Payment.

Think about the scene.

The soldiers had just driven spikes through His wrists.

They mocked Him.

The crowd shouted insults.

And Jesus says, “Father, forgive them.”

That is not emotional weakness.

That is divine strength.

Back to the barn beam.

Those axe marks were necessary.

The wood had to be cut to fit its purpose.

But every cut left a mark.

Forgiveness leaves marks.

Jesus bears eternal scars (John 20:27).

The scars are proof that forgiveness cost something.

II. FORGIVENESS FLOWS FROM LOVE

Why would Jesus forgive in that moment?

Because forgiveness flows from love.

Romans 5:8 says,

“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Not after we cleaned up.

Not after we apologized.

While we were still sinners.

John 15:13:

“No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends.”

And 1 John 4:10 tells us,

“Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

The cross is not God reluctantly forgiving.

It is God lovingly pursuing.

And notice something powerful:

Jesus doesn’t say, “I forgive them.”

He says, “Father, forgive them.”

Even in agony, He intercedes.

He prays for His executioners.

That fulfills Isaiah 53:12:

“He bore the sin of many and interceded for the rebels.”

Interceded.

Forgiveness begins in the heart of Christ before repentance is ever expressed.

That is staggering.

Let me ask gently:

Is there someone you’re waiting on to apologize before you release forgiveness?

Jesus forgave while they were still gambling for His clothes.

Back at the barn, the beam didn’t shape itself.

The farmer shaped it intentionally.

Love shapes forgiveness.

Not emotion. Not convenience. Love.

III. FORGIVENESS FREES US

Unforgiveness is heavy.

It feels powerful at first — like control.

But over time, it becomes poison.

Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:14–15:

“For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you…”

Colossians 3:13 says,

“Forgiving one another just as the Lord has forgiven you…”

We forgive because we have been forgiven.

Not to earn forgiveness — But because we have received it.

2 Corinthians 2:10–11 warns that unforgiveness gives Satan an advantage.

Resentment is a foothold for the enemy.

Forgiveness shuts the door.

Now let’s be clear:

Forgiveness does not mean:

Saying the wrong was okay

Ignoring justice

Trusting immediately

Forgiveness means releasing vengeance to God.

Romans 12:19:

“Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Jesus absorbed vengeance so we wouldn’t have to carry it.

Back to that barn beam.

The scars don’t weaken it.

They reveal what it endured.

And here’s something powerful:

Those scars are not hidden.

They’re visible.

The resurrection did not erase Christ’s scars.

They remain as eternal reminders that forgiveness cost Him everything.

And because He bore the cost —

We are free.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

Some of you this morning are struggling with two types of forgiveness:

Receiving it.

Giving it.

First — receiving it.

You still rehearse past failures. Still carry guilt. Still question whether God truly forgives you.

Listen to Psalm 103:12:

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

If Christ paid for it — Stop trying to repay it.

Second — giving it.

There may be someone whose name came to mind during this message.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean the wound didn’t matter.

It means Christ’s sacrifice matters more.

When you refuse to forgive, you’re saying the cross wasn’t sufficient.

That’s heavy.

But when you forgive, you reflect the cross.

SERIES THREAD CONNECTION

Week 1 — we saw the beam holding everything together. Week 2 — we saw the weight it bore. This week — we see the marks left behind.

The cross is not polished.

It is scarred.

And every scar whispers:

“It cost something.”

Next week, we will see that the cost accomplished something even greater — redemption.

CLOSING

Picture the scene one more time.

Dark sky. Rough wood. Mocking voices.

And from the center cross comes a prayer:

“Father, forgive them.”

That prayer reaches across centuries.

It reaches into this room.

It reaches to your heart.

Forgiveness cost Jesus everything.

But it opened the door to everything.

And next week —

We will see how that costly forgiveness becomes redeeming grace.