They Could NotSample

THEY CRUCIFIED HIM BUT THEY COULD NOT STOP HIM FROM INTERVENING.

Today, we will look at the first of the final sayings of our Lord Jesus on the cross. 

Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Let’s look at some of the last words uttered by other bible characters, a few are mentioned here.

1. Samson. ‘Let me die with the Philistines’. Judges 16:30  
2. King Saul, ‘Draw your sword and run me through’ 1 Chronicles 10:4,5
3. Goliath, ‘Come here, I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air…’1 Samuel 17:43,44

Final words by other famous people:

1. Elvis Presley, ‘I’m going to the bathroom to read’
2. Henry Ford, ‘I’ll sleep well tonight’
3. Bob Marley, ‘Money can’t buy life’

Well, here is the first of seven sayings by my Lord Jesus on the cross: ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’. When I read this verse, all that I want do is to, ‘bow my knees and raise my hands and worship Him’

Think about the life and ministry of Jesus. He said great and wonderful things, that included profound teachings, simple yet stunning parables, prayers and more. And for me, this is even amazing ‘Father, forgive them’.

Pause here and ask this question, ‘Do you think that they/we deserved this prayer?’ They did nothing but accuse, mocked, spat at him and grieved His spirit, yet a prayer of forgiveness was offered on the cross. While His wrists and His feet were nailed to the cross, in such pain, He makes this prayer. Not a prayer that said; Father, ‘teach them’, Father, ‘punish them’, Father, ‘prove them that they are wrong’, Father, ‘show your power’, Father, ‘take them down’ but a prayer, Father ’forgive them’. He prayed, ‘they do not know what they are doing’. This love! Nothing stopped Him to pray this prayer.

Take away:

Receive his forgiveness and experience His unfailing love.

THEY CRUCIFIED HIM BUT THEY COULD NOT STOP HIM FROM INTERVENING