The Seven Last Sayings of Christ on the Cross - Part 1 |
The First Statement on the Cross Luke 23:34 KJV ...Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do... The Preface to this Statement: Jesus is in the garden of Gethsamane Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin Jesus is denied by Peter Jesus is judged by Pilate Jesus is scourged and crowned with thorns Jesus takes up His cross Jesus is helped by Simon to carry His cross Jesus is nailed to the cross by the Roman soldiers The Prophecy to this statement: Isaiah 53:12 NIV Therefore I will give Him a portion among the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He poured out His life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. The Person of Forgiveness This was the prodding question by the religious leaders of Christ's day. Mark 2:7 NIV "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone? Psalm 103:1-3 NIV Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits- who forgives alll your sins and heals all your diseases. The Plea for Forgiveness The problem revealed in the plea for forgiveness is "they". To whom does this pronoun refer? Roman soldiers? Jewish leadership? "know not what they do" Christ's Miracles: John 2:11 NIV (turned the water into wine) This, the first of His miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples put their faith in Him. Christ's Message: John 10:30-31 NIV I and the Father are one. Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him This first statement on the cross: Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34 KJV Addresses the greated need of man - "forgiveness" By the greatest provider - "God" Due to the greatest reason - "they know not" |
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