We are walking in today: The last Seven Words of Christ.
First--Luke 23:34, Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Second--Luke 23:43, And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Third--John 19:26, When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Fourth--Mark 15:34, And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Fifth--John 19:28, After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Sixth--John 19:30, When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. Seventh--Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. You have gotta to think about Calvary. By comparing the several accounts which it has pleased God that we should have in the Gospels, of the crucifixion. We find that the, Lord Jesus Christ spoke seven times while hanging upon the cross. As everything in Holy scripture is significant, and everything therein related concerning our blessed Lord is especially so. We must, as a matter of course, not take it for granted that there is meaning in His speaking just the number of times that He did--neither more nor less. Seven is used in Holy scripture, is spoken of as the sacred number. The prayer, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." Is the first of the seven sayings spoken by our Lord from the cross. As they nailed Him to the cross, the voice of Jesus was first heard uplifted, not in a cry of natural agony at the fearful torture, but in divinest compassion calmly praying. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." The direct and special reference of this prayer was of course to our Lord's murderers: to those who were engaged, or who had any even the most remote part or lot, in the awful deed which was then being accomplished by the Roman soldiers, for Pontius Pilate, for Herod and the Jewish people, for all who had conspired, and had anything, or were doing anything to further His death. He prayed in that moment of inconceivable agony, having Himself forgiven them that God the Father would do likewise, even to the extent of remitting the penalty and cleansing them from the guilt of their sin, and this on the ground of their ignorance. Offering the only excuse, the only palliation, that could be made, that they knew not what they were doing. Palliation is defined as to reduce the violence of; to ease; to cover by excuses and apologies; to moderate the intensity of. Think about it, if Jesus had not paid the price for our redemption, what would we have to answer to the Lord for, even after being saved? It is Jesus by His obedience, by His blood, by His walking on the earth in such a upright and blameless way--that He is able to reduce the violence that we are due to zero. Psalm 85:2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. Fiveamprayer we can rest easy in what the Man of many Sorrows has already done for us. He asks the Lord, on our behalf while we were yet sinners, to forgive us for we know not what we do. Forgiveness, before we know to ask to be forgiven!! All of the people involved in crucifying Jesus did not know that what He was doing was for them also. They knew not who they were putting to death--One so innocent. The very and eternal Son of God. The One who had come into the world to save them from everlasting death. It was then for the forgiveness, not unconditionally, but on their repenting and turning to God. The remission of the punishment in the world to come, and the cleansing from guilt of all those who at any time or any place should sin through ignorance, that our Lord offered this prayer upon the cross. Who can count the number of those for whom it was heard and answered, as in bitterest sorrow of the heart they repent and turned unto the Lord? Jesus wanted fiveamprayer to understand what true forgiveness looks like. Pray for those who mistreat, abuse and use you!!! Thank you Lord for the last seven words. We choose to walk in forgiveness!!!!!
Fiveamprayer, we have the greatest teacher in the world for forgiveness. Think about it, being whipped and beat all night long, spit up on, possessions gambled over, mocked, dared to produce signs of His glory, questioned and scorned--while still maintaining a position of love and obedience to the Father. He was crucified , for the remission of all sin, for every person, including those who scorned and beat Him the day before. All of this illustrates how to forgive, and under what conditions to forgive--every situation. This was a total and complete forgiveness while in physical pain from last night, then new physical pain while being nailed to the cross. We are to forgive at all times, because that is how we are forgiven. This is God's word, Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: His word does not come back void. We have to forgive, to be forgiven. Fiveamprayer, there are some of us that need to forgive others and forgive them truly. Oh what a sacrifice to forgive those that have wronged us! Giving up the right to be right. Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do. He asked for forgiveness for all of us, the ones who murdered You, speak against You and disregard You. He came down among us. You are our intercessor. We are covered in the blood of forgiveness. We must forgive to be forgiven. If the one man to walk this earth without blame can and did petition the Father for forgivness of man--how can you be unforgiving?! This same man who suffered all kinds of physical pain, disrespect, and lack of consideration, for His misuseres, He was a source of entertainment--mocking and gambling for His robes. Jesus still walked in love, following what the Lord had laid out for Him to complete. And we can not forgive minor infractions?! With all of our flaws, consider that while you are not forgiving some one else, there is some one you want to forgive you. How does that work? Is it a pick and choose?! Did Jesus only forgive the ones without sin? Then who would be forgiven?! He paid the price for you, for everyone, even those who have mistreated you. Your forgiveness is tied up in forgiving others. No it may not be easy, but can you pay the cost for all of your sins?! It took the Word made flesh, who is and was perfect--even while walking in this world, being tempted like man, to restore and redeem us unto the Father. Thank You Jesus for redeeming us for interceding for us. We are covered by the blood, washed in forgiveness. We must forgive, let it go, it is not worth it. Forgive those who have wronged you. He is our Lilly of the Valley--He showed us how to forgive. Thank You for letting us know that grace forgives. We can count on every stripe. "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." Thank You Lord for letting us know that we are held by a nail and then You come to tell us the last seven words uttered by Your Son. His love covered a multitude of sins. Thank You for manifesting forgiveness, when You look at the cross. The first word, said by Jesus spoke to and pleaded for forgiveness. Think about what He has done, and done in love. Blameless, walking perfect, dying among two malefactors. Luke 23:39-42 39) And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40) But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41) And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42) And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. One of the malefactors, even mocked Him. While the other rebuked him and saying that they are receiving their just reward for their actions, but that Jesus had done nothing wrong. Malefactor is defined as one who commits an offense against the law; one who does ill toward another. We all fit this definition at some point, but we have to see and realize what was done for us and for many is by His blood. Just think about being crucified with the Lord for your offenses against the law and still being ignorant and mocking Him with the crowd while hanging on the cross yourself. We have to see like the man who asked to be remembered, that Jesus paid it all, while doing nothing wrong and walking in love. He is the True Vine. We lift up fiveamprayer, have them to walk in forgiveness, Lord. You have showed us how it was done by Your Son. We have no claims on walking perfectly as well as wanting others to forgive us. There are so many that are calling out that they are in the need of prayer. Cover their requests, have them to know that You are all that they need. You are eternal and can not lie. You will never leave us nor forsake us. You gave Your only begotten Son for us to be redeemed to You. The Lord is right there and will always be. Cry out to Him. Reach up for Him, He is reaching down for you. Thank You Lord for how You forgive, with no condemnation--our sins are remembered no more. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, love, Your Word made flesh. There are so many benefits from You that we could never earn--but given by You our heavenly Father for the children that He dotes on.
We write in the precious blood: Thank You for teaching us how to forgive.
Welcome to the overflow...
What forgiveness looks like? Look to Jesus' life, especially how He was treated leading up to the cross. What He suffered and how He pleads to the Father, that we don't receive what we are due. "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." Your word was sent out and it will accomplish what You sent it to do. All the sufferings and scorn that He suffered was foretold in the old testament, it all had to come to pass. Thank You that Your word included a way of escape for us, for the wrong that we have done. To turn, repent and do the wrong things no more. To receive a hunger to chase after You. To seek Your word on all things. Thank You Lord for redeeming us, saving us and using us to draw others to You! Look at Jesus on the cross, He asks for forgiveness for His torturers--that is how you forgive. What a mighty God we serve. Let it go, satan knows that when you are walking in unforgivness, that blocks your blessings. It puts distance between you and God. We need to be as close to God as we can get. Stop letting satan justify your unforgiveness--that is not hurting the other person as much as it is hurting you. Forgive and forgive truly. Get understanding what forgiveness really looks like. Read the scriptures for yourself today. Truly walk in forgiveness. Have a blessed day.
Hear It Again
If you would like to hear this mornings call again, please call 605-475-4849 and the pin is 258417, the reference number for this call is 198# as of 4/21/11. The recordings are available for about 6 months.
The new number will be is 760-569-7676 and the pin# is 910150. The playback for the recording is 760-569-7699 and the same pin#. We will announce when the number is changing over, thank you.
Musical Selection
Fred Hammond, No Greater Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Fred Hammond, Your Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Fred Hammond, Your Love Is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Flame, On That Cross: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
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