Service Notes

Father, Forgive Them

Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews." (Luke 23:32-38)

Lent Is Upon Us

Today is the first Sunday of Lent. It is an important time of year for the church. I find it is a great time to reconnect with the Lord. It is clearly a time to dig deeper. It is also a time to take the focus off ourselves and put it right where it needs to be upon God.

A Season of Renewed Devotion

Lent is often characterized by a time of fasting. Giving something up for Lent is common practice. Usually such fasting entails giving up chocolate or desserts. I've been known to give up soft drinks. Sometimes Lent is characterized by taking on something, like renewed Bible reading, concerted prayer, or intentional outreach to the poor.

A Season of Preparation

As much as anything, Lent is a season of preparation. While we may be pointing ourselves to Easter, we take time to consider the cross and its meaning for our lives. During Lent we open ourselves to God so he can do his thing. We hope to experience God deeply to the end that we begin to understand fully the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Seven Last Words

Over the next six Sundays we will be considering the so-called "Seven Last Words of Jesus." With Jesus and his last words, it's the context that's most important. The last words of Jesus are spoken from the cross.

A Bit of Background

The seven last words of Christ are based upon scripture selections from all four of the gospels and are very much a part of the Lenten journey.

The Work of the Cross–Forgiveness

The first of these last words is "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." What Jesus does on the cross brings forgiveness once and for all. This forms the very foundation of the gospel we preach and the good news upon which we base our lives. The cross stands at the very center of our faith.

The Work of the Cross

Paul puts things this way in speaking about the cross. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God... We preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others." (I Corinthians 1:18 and 23) The work of Christ on the cross touches us at the very depth of where we live. Our willful and selfish ways get us into trouble every time. They separate us from God and from one another. We are in need of reconciliation.

It Doesn't Have to Be This Way

I have known persons who just seem to be held by their sin. I have known others who just can't seem to hurdle the guilt of what they've done. The good news spoken from the cross proclaims that it doesn't have to be this way.

Those to Whom Christ Was Speaking

There were all sorts of people milling around the cross. Some were disinterested bystanders others had a more vested interest. Those who initiated the judicial proceedings sounding Christ's death surely felt proud of themselves. Pilate surely felt he had protected Rome. The Sanhedrin felt they had protected the faith as they knew it. In the end, they were only protecting themselves. Two criminals were there as well, one crucified to his right and the other to his left. They are a microcosm of the world. One mocks him, while the other defends him. Then there were the disciples. And then there is you and I.

In Need of Forgiveness

We are only fooling ourselves if we think we don't need to be forgiven. We are need of the love Christ longs to share. We need release from those things that have a hold on us. We need to be shed of the guilt that plagues us. "Greater love has no one than he give up his life for a friends." (John 15:13) Christ's love influences us in profound ways.

We Really Don't Know What We Are Doing

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." That was certainly the case for those who had a hand in Christ's death, it is certainly true for us. As much as we would like to think otherwise, we really don't know what we are doing. We still go our own way. Our decisions aren't as God would want them.

The Walking Wounded

Henry Cloud writes that "forgiveness is the foundation from which all growth and healing spins." He's right. Let me encourage you to let God do his thing. There is no time like the present to let him touch you right where it hurts so that true healing might come. Forgiveness is just the thing for what ails us and Christ comes to offer it. It is up to you and me to accept it.