The Importance of Forgiveness: Luke 23:33-34
“33) When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34) But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.” Luke 23:33-34
In short order, they arrived at Golgotha, which means “Place of the Skull.” (See Mathew 27:33) Some say the landscape resembles a human skull. Others point to the name indicating the human death and suffering at that location. They crucified them there, with a criminal on each side.
What Luke records next is not normal. He did not curse or cry out. Instead, He called to His Father and said; “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
With His suffering and death, the Father had a legal basis to forgive humanity. The price of human sin was being paid in full! No debt remained. The Justice of God was satisfied by the free will offering of the Son.
This utterance from the cross became the hall mark of Christianity. Ephesians 4:32 says we have a basis to forgive others “just as God in Christ also has forgiven us.” The charge to forgive others comes with the weight of a command.
As this scene and the utterance to the Father from the cross to forgive them rings in our hearing, another scene dances before us. Several years later, as Stephen was being stoned, he cried out something very similar; “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60)
Overseeing the stoning of Stephen was a young man named Saul. I cannot prove my next statement, but the forgiveness of Stephen may have released the grace that led to Saul’s conversion. Instead of cursing and binding; Stephen forgave and released. (See Matthew 16:19)
Anger and bitterness are schemes of the devil. They give him ground in our lives. Carefully study Ephesians 4:26-27, 4:30-31; 2 Corinthians 2:8-11 and Hebrews 12:12-16.
If someone has hurt or offended you, guard your heat from becoming angry, bitter or vengeful. They will eat at you like cancer. They will cause your soul to rot from within.
This utterance made by Jesus from the cross is far more than just an example to follow. He became the very basis for grace and forgiveness. He paid for every sin and offense others have perpetrated against you and me.
By His stripes we are healed. (1 Peter 2:24) I believe the work of Jesus on the cross is the basis for Supernatural healing; but this command to forgive is part of the formula. It is medically proven that anger, bitterness, hate and vengefulness will negatively affect and even attack your immune system.
Many people are physically sick because they have given way to Satans schemes to steal, kill and destroy. (Review the passages above) The gospel has the power to make you whole when you start walking in love, grace and forgiveness. In so doing, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus will set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:2)
It is more than coincidence that James 5:14-16, in the context of praying for healing includes confessing your sins to one another. The healing of the soul is a crucial part of the healing for the body.
Do I really see all of this in what Jesus uttered from the cross in Luke 23:34? Yes! It is part of the story behind the story. Forgiveness is not optional.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“33) When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34) But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.” Luke 23:33-34
In short order, they arrived at Golgotha, which means “Place of the Skull.” (See Mathew 27:33) Some say the landscape resembles a human skull. Others point to the name indicating the human death and suffering at that location. They crucified them there, with a criminal on each side.
What Luke records next is not normal. He did not curse or cry out. Instead, He called to His Father and said; “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
With His suffering and death, the Father had a legal basis to forgive humanity. The price of human sin was being paid in full! No debt remained. The Justice of God was satisfied by the free will offering of the Son.
This utterance from the cross became the hall mark of Christianity. Ephesians 4:32 says we have a basis to forgive others “just as God in Christ also has forgiven us.” The charge to forgive others comes with the weight of a command.
As this scene and the utterance to the Father from the cross to forgive them rings in our hearing, another scene dances before us. Several years later, as Stephen was being stoned, he cried out something very similar; “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60)
Overseeing the stoning of Stephen was a young man named Saul. I cannot prove my next statement, but the forgiveness of Stephen may have released the grace that led to Saul’s conversion. Instead of cursing and binding; Stephen forgave and released. (See Matthew 16:19)
Anger and bitterness are schemes of the devil. They give him ground in our lives. Carefully study Ephesians 4:26-27, 4:30-31; 2 Corinthians 2:8-11 and Hebrews 12:12-16.
If someone has hurt or offended you, guard your heat from becoming angry, bitter or vengeful. They will eat at you like cancer. They will cause your soul to rot from within.
This utterance made by Jesus from the cross is far more than just an example to follow. He became the very basis for grace and forgiveness. He paid for every sin and offense others have perpetrated against you and me.
By His stripes we are healed. (1 Peter 2:24) I believe the work of Jesus on the cross is the basis for Supernatural healing; but this command to forgive is part of the formula. It is medically proven that anger, bitterness, hate and vengefulness will negatively affect and even attack your immune system.
Many people are physically sick because they have given way to Satans schemes to steal, kill and destroy. (Review the passages above) The gospel has the power to make you whole when you start walking in love, grace and forgiveness. In so doing, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus will set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:2)
It is more than coincidence that James 5:14-16, in the context of praying for healing includes confessing your sins to one another. The healing of the soul is a crucial part of the healing for the body.
Do I really see all of this in what Jesus uttered from the cross in Luke 23:34? Yes! It is part of the story behind the story. Forgiveness is not optional.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
