Listening to the last words of Jesus

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. (33) And 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. (34) And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Greed that sells a friend for money

Fear that denies a leader

Cynicism that smears an innocent for political gain

Cruelty that tortures a prisoner for entertainment

Mob that exults in a victims suffering

Stupidity that calls good evil and evil good

Being whole◦ Words and Deeds coming together

Being a Dying man

Being a Forgiving Sacrifice

Mat 5:44-45 ESV But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

We hurt and wound a human spirit ◦ By our glances and eye contact

◦ By our expressions and words

◦ By withholding care, sympathy, love

◦ By disappointment

◦ By distress

Jesus not only bore the cross, he bore the wounds of those around him while he carried

out the will of the Father.

When we sin against what we know is right, we violate our conscience◦ We pretend we can make up for it later

◦ We deny that we have started spiritual decline

Jesus was forgiving people who were violating what they know was right, choosing to pretend

it was ok, surrendering to the evil of the moment.

We lead another down the pathway of sin◦ We don’t think we are responsible for their actions◦ We do not consider what we are doing to their

conscience◦ We do not think we are preying on their

weakness, their flaws◦ We do not see ourselves as being instruments in

temptation

Jesus was forgiving leaders, evil men and women causing others to run down a pathway of

destruction.

We neglect and misuse the opportunities and mercy God has given us◦ Having been disciple and trained in His ways, we neglect

our training◦ Knowing what to do, we do it not◦ We fail and disappoint God, who lovingly instructed

us, invested in us◦ Asked by God to “watch one hour” we sleep, rest, slumber

away our time with God and the fruit that was to come from our fellowship.

Jesus was forgiving friends he had invested in, trained, loved.

Think only of ourselves and not the harm we are doing◦ Often feeling like in a moment it will be over and

there will be no lasting results

◦ Not considering that we are doing more harm than good

◦ Not realizing we are planting seeds of anti-Christian living and faith

Jesus was forgiving those who were now working against Him.

We withhold from God our self and service◦ We are finite, limited, but still have an effect on

others

◦ What “we do” and what we “do not do” matters

◦ Our character is a part of our living

Our inner man is affirming or denying God

Our inner man is following or rejecting God

Jesus, who was giving himself for them, was forgiving those who were now NOT giving

anymore.

Replace our shame with praise for His mercy and everlasting love of us.

Castoff the oversimplification of our sin and embrace the depth of our sin so that we can embrace the depth of His forgiveness and love.

Love God more for who He is and what He is doing.

Take a lot of time and consider the death and resurrection of Jesus the King.