Good Friday

Good Friday

March 25, 2005

Luke 23:34

Jesus’ Prayer of Intercession

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

INTRODUCTION: The trial was over, the procession had wended its way to Calvary’s hill. The cross was stretched out and the Lord laid upon it. The nails pounded, and the cross dropped into the ground. Lifting His eyes to heaven, He speaks. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”

I.                    Why Did Christ Pray This Prayer.

A.       Expresses His essential reason for dying.

1.      Dying that all might be forgiven.

2.      Prayer expresses basis of Cross.

B.        Reveals His character.

1.      Loving compassion upon those apart.

2.      Thoughts always for others.

C.       Provides disciples with example.

1.      Taught by precept and example.

2.      Becomes the example for us. 

D.       It was a fulfillment of prophecy.

1.      Isaiah 53:12 “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.”

2.      This provides another in the great chain of prophecy.

II.                 For Who Was He Praying?

A.       The immediate subjects.

1.      Had just been nailed to the cross.

2.      Would comprehend the soldiers at this point.

B.        The further extension.

1.      Death was caused by the demand of national pride.

2.      Comprehends the Jewish nations.

C.       The ultimate extension.

1.      The real sin is taking place here.

a.       Note the crucifixion – “For they know not what they do.”

b.      Sin is rejection of the Son of God.

2.      Thus it extends to everyone.

a.       Anyone who rejects Christ is guilty of the same sin Christ asks to have forgiven.

b.      Had we been there, we would have done the same thing no doubt.

III.               Was the Prayer Answered?

A.       Physically.

1.      Soldiers and Jews spared.

2.      Jerusalem and Jewish nation spared.

B.        Spiritually.

1.      Why He was dying.

a.       All was forgiven in His death.

b.      Made it plain that even those actually participating were pardoned.

2.      The Father did forgive.

a.       Only some accepted the proffered salvation.

b.      You have already been forgiven the sin of rejecting Christ by Christ’s baptism into His death.

CONCLUSION: “Father forgive them…” is an expression of His heart. Have you received His forgiveness?