Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. The words of the dying are wont to be much observed. When men depart out of the body, they are usually more serious and divine, and speak with greater weight. Especially the speeches of the godly dying are to be regarded, who, having laid aside worldly affairs and earthly thoughts, are wholly exercised in the contemplation of heavenly things. Now certainly, if any man's dying speeches are to be observed, Christ's are much more. I. Christ's request, "Father, forgive them." "Father" is a word of confidence towards God and of love to His enemies; He mentioneth the sweetest relation. "Father" is a word of blandishment, as children, when they would obtain anything at their parent's hands, cry, "Father!" Christ speaks as foreseeing the danger and punishment which they would bring on themselves as the fruit of their madness and folly, and therefore He prays, "Father, forgive them." This act was provocation enough to move God to dissolve the bonds of nature, to cleave the earth, that it might swallow them up quick, or to rain hell out of heaven upon them. Lesser offences have been thus punished, and one word from Christ's mouth had been enough. But, "Father, forgive them." We hear nothing but words of mild pity. When He says, "Forgive," He means also convert them; for where there is no conversion there can be no remission. I shall look upon this prayer under a twofold consideration. I. Let us look upon it AS A MORAL ACTION. He doth not threaten fearful judgments, but prayed for His enemies; there was no stain of passion and revenge upon His sufferings (1 Peter 2:21). One great use of Christ's death was to give us lessons of meekness and patience and humble suffering. In this act there is an excellent lesson. Let us look upon the necessary circumstances that serve to set it off (1) For whom He prays; (2) When He prays; (3) Why He prays; (4) In what manner. Information: 1. It informeth us that the love of Christ is greater than we can think or understand, much less express. 2. That all sins, even the greatest, except that against the Holy Ghost, are pardonable. 3. That remission of sins is the free gift of God, and the fruit of His pity and grace. Christ asketh it of His Father. 4. That pardon of sins is a special benefit. Christ asked no more than, "Father, forgive them." It is a special benefit, because it freeth us from the greatest evil, wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10). And it maketh us capable of the greatest blessing, eternal life (Titus 3:7). 5. That love of enemies, and those that bare wronged us, is an high grace, and recommended to us by Christ's own example. Sure it is needful that we should learn this lesson, to be like God (Luke 6:36). 6. Reproof of those that are cruel and revengeful. How different are they from Christ who are all for unkindness and revenge, and solicit vengeance against God's suffering servants with eager aggravations! Oh, how can these men look upon Christ's practice without shame! How can they look upon these prodigies of love and grace, and not blush! II. The next consideration of this prayer of Christ is AS A TASTE AND PLEDGE OF HIS MEDIATION AND INTERCESSION. So it is prophesied: "He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bare the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12). 1. It is an instance of Christ's love and bowels to sinners; He loved mankind so well that He prayed for them that crucified Him. Look on the Lord Jesus as praying and dying for enemies, and improve it as a ground of confidence. 2. See what is the voice and merit of His sufferings, "Father, forgive them." This is the speech that Christ uttered when He was laid on the cross. Abel's blood was clamorous in the ears of God (Genesis 4:10). Christ's blood hath another voice, it speaketh to God to pacify His wrath, and to pardon us, if penitent and believing sinners; it speaketh to conscience to be quiet, God hath found out a ransom. 3. In the mediatory consideration it hinteth the coupling of His intercession with His satisfaction. On the cross, there He dieth and there He prayeth; He was both priest and sacrifice. 4. This is a pledge of His constant intercession in heaven. 5. It shows the nature of His intercession. 6. The success of Christ's intercession, "Father, forgive them." Was He heard in this? Yes; this prayer converts the centurion, and those above "three thousand" (Acts 2:41), and presently after five thousand more (Acts 4:4). In the compass of a few days above eight thousand of His enemies were converted. Christ is good at interceding; His prayers are always heard (John 11:42). II. I come now to the argument used, "They know not what they do." (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. |
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