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First Saying on the Cross!Text: Luke 23:32-34 1. Someone has said, “words are an index to the soul.”
2. a. In other words, the words one speaks reveal one’s
character, reveal the true nature of a person.
b. This is especially true of those words spoken during
times of great pressure, or under great duress, such
as pain, anger or trials.
c. Hence, the words of Christ, while suffering on the
cross, become very important.
3. Christ never spoke an idle word.
a. 1 Peter 2:22 “Neither was guile found in his mouth.”
b. Everything he ever said was of tremendous importance
to those to whom he spoke.
c. Thus, the words spoken while atoning for our sins
upon the cross become even more important.
4. On the cross he spoke seven times…we will now notice the
first. “Father, forgive them for they know not what
they do.”
1. A purpose of Christ upon this earth was to show
humanity how to live as well as how to die.
A. Near the beginning of his career he preaches that
great sermon on the mount in which he said…
1. Matthew 5:44
B. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ directed the
Apostle Paul to preach the same thing.
1. Romans 12:19-21
C. These are the statements and theories announced by
the man of Galilee, but, this teaching was done
when there were no enemies gathered round about.
1. As yet the pathway was clear, and the sky was
unclouded.
2. We recognize – as long as everything is lovely –
matters going our way – it is such an easy thing
to be sweet spirited, kindly disposed and very
charitable in our relations toward our fellow
men.
3. But when the going gets rough, when we are
suffering great troubles, many times there is a
different story.
4. How Will It Be regarding him who said “Love your
enemies, pray for them that hate you, and do
good to them that despiteful use you, and
persecute you.”
D. I read to you from Luke 23:34 which is another part
of the story pertaining to the life of Christ.
1. He is standing at the very end of His earthly
visit.
2. He has withstood the fiery darts, and poisonous
words intended to bring sorrow and grief to his
heart.
3. With all the rebukes, the troubles, the storms
being past, Christ comes to make good of that
sermon of the mount.
4. He is standing at the time of the enemies
triumph.
5. The dark hour to him has come.
6. He is in the custody of opposition, with death
glaring him in the face.
7. On the tree of the cross He hangs suspended, and
receives the sneers and the jeers of a cruel
world.
E. Will he make good that which he taught?
1. It is the climax of the Savior’s career…
2. And in his unbearable suffering upon the cross,
he lifts up his voice and prays, “Father forgive
them for they know not what they do.”
F. How different the picture is now than it had been.
1. Not long before he was in his greatest glory in
the eyes of the people, the blind received their
sight, the lame walked, the sick were cured, and
multitudes followed him.
2. But now we see the reverse.
3. He is in the hands of those who hated him and
who would despitefully use him.
4. Even now, it is possible for him to call to
heaven pronouncing a curse upon those present
and having the angels of Heaven come and rescue
him.
5. Instead, He said, “Father forgive them for they
know not what they do.”
II. Who is included in this prayer? Forgive them…,
A. Chief Priests and Elders – The religious leaders who
headed the opposition against Jesus.
B. The people, who were over-persuaded by the chief
priests to ask Pilate for Barabbas and to crucify
Jesus.
C. The soldiers, who mocked him, spat upon him, nailed
him to the cross.
1. In other words, all of those who were involved in
his death.
III. Did the Father Hear This Prayer of the Lord’s?
A. No doubt about it…It is an undisputed fact that he
was heard.
IV. When Christ Lifted Up His Voice and Said “Father
Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do”, Did He
Mean to Forgive Them Regardless of Any Act on Their
Par?
A. Was it implied that they might go ahead in their
wicked, murderous way, and yet be forgiven?
1. I believe that we all agree that there were
certain conditions that had to be met by those
for whom he prayed.
2. Therefore, I am going to say that which is in
harmony with the teaching of the Bible, that
when Christ prayed, “Father Forgive Them For
They Know Not What They Do”, there was implied
that time might be granted, and an opportunity
given when their hearts should be touched, and
they would bow in submission to heaven will, and
thus bring about the answer to the Prayer of
Christ.
B. The prayer was offered on the cross.
1. That afternoon he died, was buried, and three
days passed, but that prayer was unanswered.
2. He arose from the dead, walked about among men
for forty days…Prayer still not answered.
3. Another ten days go by, and Christ returned to
Heaven, and yet the prayer is unanswered.
4. The day of Pentecost finally comes.
a. On this day the first Gospel sermon was
preached.
b. As yet the prayer is not answered…listen to
what Peter said, Acts 2:22-23.
5. Here was the same company that crucified the
Christ.
a. Peter brings home to them their guilt by
saying, “you have taken, and by the hands of
lawless men have crucified the son of God.”
b. He drove home that thought to their hearts.
c. He made them feel guilty in the presence of
the God of heaven, and then opened to them
the possibility of forgiveness through the
same Jesus whom they had crucified.
d. Then he climaxed that wonderful sermon by
saying: “Let All the House of Israel Know
Assuredly That God Hath Made That Same Jesus
Whom You Crucified Both Lord and Christ.”
e. As yet that prayer, “Father forgive them…”
had not been answered.
f. When they cried out, “Men and Brethren What
Shall We Do?” The prayer had not been
answered.
g. In answer to their question: “Repent ye……”
h. Then What…They that gladly received his word
were baptized; and the same day there were
added about 3,000 souls.
6. The Very Minute They Rendered Obedience to
Christ, the Prayer of Christ Began to be
Answered.
a. Then 5,000 men
b. Acts 6:7
V. It is our duty today to pray for my fellows
everywhere.
A. But our prayer must be that man may have the
privilege of the Gospel and that he will led into
obeying it.
1. I know that all who will hear, believe and obey,
God will pardon their sins, and will add them to
the church bought by the blood of his son.
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