A person's final words in this life are usually significant to their loved ones. Through the ages, friends, and family members have leaned in to hear and understand the last words uttered by their friend, parent, spouse, or child before they die. Dying words are often cherished, repeated, and sometimes they are life-changing. So, it is for us who believe in Jesus.
In the lessons to come, we will be remembering and studying all that Jesus said while He was hanging on the cross. These words are a precious treasure for us to mine. Consider them with me now:
1. “And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
2. “And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:43
3. “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" 27 Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:26-27
4. “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46
5. “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), "I thirst." John 19:28
6. “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30
7. “Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last.” Luke 23:46
In the next seven lessons, we will study through each of these sentences to understand their significance and see more clearly the glory, suffering, love, and salvation of Jesus.
“And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
Question 1. According to Luke 23:34, what did Jesus pray for God to do to His enemies?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
Mike L. writes an insightful answer to the above question:
"To forgive His enemies! This so mind-boggling, the very people Jesus came to save are nailing Him to a cross and He's pleading with His Father to forgive them!! Yet when someone does the littlest thing to us we hold a grudge and probably have committed murder in our hearts."
Forgiveness! Was there ever a more beautiful word? We all want it, but sometimes we find it hard to give. And yet, Jesus, nailed to a cross, struggling for every breath, prayed aloud for His Father to forgive His enemies. Understanding that Jesus could have put an end to His tormentors at any moment, makes His gracious and costly intercession all the more powerful.
By way of contrast, in Judges 16, we read the final words of Samson:
"Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, "O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me; I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!"
Samson's final words were ones of vengeance, and his victory over the Philistines, while significant, was temporary. But Jesus died with love and forgiveness on His lips, and His victory over sin, death, and hell were permanent! What a Savior!
Jesus' prayer for His enemies was not only supernatural, it was also a fulfillment of a prophecy given in Isaiah 53:
“Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:12
Question 2. How does the last phrase of Isaiah 53:12 compare with Luke 23:34?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.