Sev7en Last Words on the Cross

The Healing Choice of Forgiveness Luke 23:34

March 19, 2017

Pastor John Lloyd

Last words are usually lasting testimonies. Jesus uttered seven statements before He died. These seven statements of Jesus on the cross were not just the words of any dying man. These are words of God giving encouragement and revelation for all to hear. Enjoying the Journey, PJ

  1. “Father, forgive them …..” Luke 23:34
  2. “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43
  3. “Woman, behold your son…behold your mother.” John 19:26, 27
  4. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Matt 27:46
  5. “I thirst.” John 19:28
  6. “It is finished.” John 19:30
  7. “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Luke 23:46

Luke 23:32Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33And 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. 34And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. 35And 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!”36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

Big Lie: Forgiveness is only for those who deserve or earn it.

Big Truth: Forgiveness brings freedom! Freedom from our past, guilt, anger, grief, etc. Receiving and giving forgiveness brings healing.

  1. Understand the depth of Jesus’forgiveness.

“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

“Central issue of the cross is the character and work of Jesus. Jesus was an innocent sufferer and yet he is requesting forgiveness for what they did.”

Golgotha- Place of the Skull- the hill had this name because it protruded from the ground as much as a head does from the body.

Ephesians 1:7In him we haveredemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Rejecters: Challenging his power to save is exactly what Jesus is doing.

Why He did it? I Peter 3:18

Isaiah 53:12b “because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many,and makes intercession for the transgressors.”

Jesus died for his enemies! Luke 23:34, Matthew 5:44

“Jesus focused on their weakness not their wickedness.” I Tim.1:13

Who was it for? I John 2:2

What does this change? Acts 13:38Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins isproclaimed to you, 39and by him everyone who believes is freedfrom everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

Reflective Questions: Do you trust Jesus has forgiven you? Do you live as a forgiven child of God? Please feel free to pray with our prayer team.

Forgiveness brings real freedom! I choose to be forgiven by God!

  1. Follow Jesus example and choose to forgive.

“Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

  1. Jewish law taught you had to forgive three times.
  2. Peter’s law taught you had to forgive seven times.
  3. Jesus taught you had to forgive an unlimited number

of times. Matthew 18:21-22

Acts 7:60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

“The lack of forgiveness is a potent internal cocktail that you administer to yourself to your own detriment every day.” Stephen Arterburn

Colossians 3:13bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Prayer: Help me to make forgiveness a lifestyle, not a onetimeevent. I Choose to be a forgiver.

  1. Forgive thoroughly as you have been forgiven.

I John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Psalm 86:5

“The couples that were angry and resentful showed higher levels of cortisol, a hormone that gives us great strength and power under stress but destroys us when it lingers in our systems long past a crisis.”Arterburn

Confessing to God brings forgiveness. Confessing to another brings healing!

James 5:16Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

Proverbs 17:9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love,but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

  1. Forgiveness needs to be sincere. Matthew 15:8
  2. Forgiveness means you have released this to God. Gen.45:5
  3. Forgiveness brings real freedom! Colossians 2:14
  4. Forgiveness confirms Jesus victoryover sin. Colossians 2:15

“Forgiveness frees me from my past, hurts, injustices, sins, anger and grief.”

“Forgiveness is the most powerful and successful tool we have for dealing with human failure.” Arterburn

Ephesians 4:31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

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

“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (John 8:36 NLT).

I choose to live as a forgiven person. I choose to be a forgiving person.

Spiritual Growth Questions

  1. Read Luke 23:32-38. Describe what happened? What truth stands out from this passage? How could you apply it?
  2. Read Matthew 18:21-35. Tell in your own words what happened? What do you learn about forgiveness from this passage? Are there any places you could apply this passage right now?
  3. Read Romans 3:23, 6:23, Isaiah 64:6, Jeremiah 17:9. Talk about this statement: “Forgiveness is only for those who deserve it or earn it.” Agree/Disagree Why?
  4. Read Matthew 6:14-15. In your own words, what is Jesus saying? What challenge do these verses present to followers of Jesus?
  5. Read Luke 23:34, Acts 7:60, I Timothy 1:13. Discuss why it is important for us to emphasize the weakness of mankind over the wickedness of mankind?
  6. ReadEphesians 4:31-32. Consider the phrase “justifiable resentment”- a resentment that no one would question. Where do you struggle with bitterness? Who do you need to speak words of forgiveness to? Take time to pray and plan for how to do this.

Verses to reflect on:

Matthew 6:14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

Dear ______, You are probably surprised to hear from me. It has been a long time. I am writing because I need to clear my conscience. In the past, when there were situations or conflicts that were hurtful, I would sometimes choose to avoid a person, rather than attempt to resolve the problem.However, the closer I walk with Jesus, He is showing me that closing doors does not heal relationships. It only temporarily helped me to avoid uncomfortable situations. Yet, God is good. He has forgiven me for all my shortcomings! Now, out of gratitude to Him, I am apologizing to you for my past actions. I am sorry for hurting you. Please forgive me. Sincerely, (Sample Letter from Healing Choices: Stephen Arterburn)