Title Forgive us / Luke 23:32-38
On the cross, Jesus spoke seven words. This is often referred to as the virtual seven words (架上七言). His teachings and beliefs are condensed into these words. In the Gospel of Luke, only three words are recorded. The first word was a prayer of forgiveness. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Today, I would like to receive a lesson by looking at three questions we may have regarding this prayer.
First, is this prayer a pretense?
The first thing Jesus said after he was nailed to the cross was prayer. It was a prayer to forgive those who did evil to him. This prayer is so sobering, and the thoughts and feelings that permeate it are so different from those observed in others in similar circumstances that it raises the question of whether a man can really do this.
on the 23rd of July
Italian-American death row inmate Joseph Odell (54), who had insisted on his innocence until the last minute, disappeared due to the dew of death on the night of September 23rd, 8 hours after marriage, despite domestic and international appeals and pressure.
At Greensville, Virginia prison, lying on an iron mobile bed, tied with a leather belt and needles in his arms, Odell exclaimed, "Governor Allen, you are killing innocent people," just before the poison spread throughout his body.
Odell was sentenced to death in 1986 for the rape and murder of a restaurant worker in Virginia Beach in February 1985. However, the execution has been delayed until this day due to protests against the death penalty and Odell's plea of innocence. His lifesaving campaign was supported by Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. Numerous human rights groups, including the Italian government, took part. The Italians were particularly interested. Of all the 10,000 calls, letters and faxes Allen received, 95% came from Italy. At the US embassy in Rome, Italians against the death penalty held daily protests, and TV was even televised by satellite outside the execution room.
A common question is whether Jesus was deliberately put off at the last minute because he wanted to be remembered for posterity as an unusual being.
It is said that even a saint like Socrates said this to his friend at the moment of death to purify his conscience.
“Acriton, I owe Asclepius one chicken, and I will pay him back.”
He didn't think of anyone else, but at the moment of his death he spoke to purify his conscience.
Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Was he really a man or a god? This is questionable.
But Jesus truly said these words. The cross can never be a theatrical stage. The pain of crucifixion is never so idle that people think about this and that and even make up things that do not exist. In spite of the shortness of breath and burning thirst, the head and body seem to be split and torn, how can you even think of such a thing? The reality is that when a person is subjected to harsh torture, he or she is forced to affirm the facts that do not exist rather than hide the truth. There is no time for thinking and arguing about this and that. In the case of Jesus, since there was no coercion, his prayer was not an act, but the truth of his ordinary thoughts and actions.
He prayed, “Father.” He called God Father. He is the Son of God. This is the truth.
He prayed, “Forgive us.” He wanted the forgiveness of those who accuse and crucify the innocent. This is the truth.
Second, why didn't Jesus Himself forgive sins?
At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus looked at a paralytic and declared, “Your sins are forgiven,” and healed the sick so that people might know that he had “the authority to forgive sins” (Luke 5:24). He claimed to have all authority in heaven and on earth. He claimed to have the authority to judge (John 5:22,27). He claimed to have the authority to give us eternal life (John 8:28). These claims support the claim that He has the power to forgive sins. Because we have the authority to judge, we can forgive sins, and because we have the authority to forgive sins, we can give eternal life.
But on the cross, he did not exercise that authority directly, but prayed to Heavenly Father to forgive them. Why? Was it because they were too emotional to forgive them personally? no. Equal to God the Father, but did he voluntarily humble himself and do so to exalt Him? Not necessarily. There is an important truth here that cannot be overlooked. When He was hung on the cross, He was standing in the place of sinners. He was standing in the place of sinners and bearing their sins. That's why he couldn't use that power for that time.
He was actually praying, "Father, forgive them and condemn me." Because there is no other way to forgive sins.
Who were the “us” that Jesus prayed for forgiveness? It was the Roman soldiers who drove iron nails into His hands and feet. They were the ones who were calling for him to be crucified.
According to what is recorded in the Gospel of Luke, it was after this prayer that the officers ridiculed and the soldiers mocked him. What about those who mocked the claim that He was the Christ? What about those who mocked his claim to be king?
“Those passing by, shaking their heads, insulted Jesus, saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself, if you are the Son of God, and come down from the cross. They mocked together and said, "He saved others, but he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel. Come down from the cross now, and we will believe. He trusts in God, and if God is pleased with him, he will save him now. I mean, I am God." Son of God!” and the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way” (Matthew 27:39-44).
According to 1 Peter 2:22, some reviled him.
“He committed no sin, and found no deceit in his mouth; when he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:22,23). )
Does that mean you cursed them? It's not like that. He always said that we should not repay evil for evil, but overcome with good. He is putting into practice the words of Luke 6:28-29.
"...Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who insult you" (Luke 6:28-29).
Also, in this prayer, we should be able to read the heart of God who wants sinners to be forgiven. Not a single prayer of Jesus was unanswered.
"...Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always listen to me..." (John 11:41-42)
It had to be because he never prayed against God's will. It was God's will for Jesus to pray like this.
"...for he gave up his soul to death, and was numbered as one of the transgressors, but in reality he bore the sins of many and prayed for them" (Isaiah 53:12).
It's not like he used to hate him, but he doesn't show his hatred anymore. He also practiced forgiveness and love on a daily basis. That is why it is even greater.
The repentance of 3,000 people on the Day of Pentecost can be seen as a response to Jesus' prayer rather than a response to Peter's sermon. Shortly thereafter, "a great crowd of great priests" yielded to the gospel (Acts 6:7). And God's judgment on the Jewish people was delayed by 3,40 years.
Third, can ignorance be forgiven?
After praying, “Forgive them,” Jesus added, “Because they do not know what they are doing.” It is a statement that shows that he considers actions caused by ignorance. Later, when Peter preached to the Jews, with the same purpose, he said:
“I know, brethren, that you did it ignorantly, and that your rulers did the same” (Acts 3:17).
Even the Apostle Paul said, "If I had known, I would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (1 Corinthians 2:8).
These statements seem to suggest that there is room for extenuating circumstances in court terms for sinful acts committed without knowledge. But ignorance is nothing to be proud of. Ignorance is not a sufficient excuse for sin. If that were enough, there would be no need for Christ to pray for them to forgive them. Ignorance can lighten the quality of sin, but it can never be a basis for forgiveness.
“The servant who knows the master’s will, but does not prepare, and does not do his will will be beaten much; but the servant who does what is right without knowing it will be beaten little. Luke 12:47,48)
This also means that those who know and commit sins can never expect a lenient disposition.
The Lord's prayer for sinners on the cross is an example for us.
"...Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps" (1 Peter 2:21).
Although he suffered vaguely, he showed that it is beautiful in the sight of God to suffer and endure suffering by doing good and thinking of God (1 Peter 2:19-20). And he set the example of not repaying evil with evil or insult with insult, but rather wishing for blessings (1 Peter 3:9).
“Finally, be all of you like-minded, compassionate, love your brother, have compassion, be humble, not repaying evil for evil or reviling for insult, but rather a blessing, to which you were called, for this you have been called to inherit the blessing. that you may receive it” (1 Peter 3:8, 9).