LUKE 23: DEEPEST COMPASSION

 

Scripture: 

Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing". And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Luke 23 shows Jesus suffering from the hands of the accusers but He offers ultimate grace to His tormentors who shown Him greatest humiliation.

In verse 1 says, “Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate”. All the people, rich and poor, sinners and righteous, believers and unbelievers, with and without authority, all the multitude send Jesus to Pilate to crucify Him, to kill Him.

The sins that people committed -

• Ø  False accusation, pride, mocking (verse 2-11)
• Ø  Cruelty (verse 18)
• Ø  Injustice (verse 21)
• Ø  Insults (verse 35)

We sin continuously and never deserving of God’s forgiveness and just like the multitude in verse 1, we too, we sent Jesus to crucify Him.

We crucify Jesus when we -

False accusation, pride, mocking (verse 2-11)

•      Misrepresenting Jesus teachings or attributing false motives to His ministry
•      No humility, self-dependence, doing things according to own self
•      Using God’s name in vain, ignoring and neglecting God’s word even if already taught and knew

Cruelty (verse 18)

•         Mocking God’s message by disrespecting, ridiculing or suppressing God’s teachings of love, forgiveness and compassion
•         Persecuting believers by discrimination or harming individuals simply for practicing their faith in Christ by humiliation
•         Neglecting those people in need, ignoring the poor basic needs, the sick, the hungry and the homeless
•       Not praying for others

Injustice (verse 21)

•  Compromising truth for personal gain and approval from others
•  Twisting God’s word and fitting to what we want
•  Condemning others while ignoring personal hypocrisy
•  Abandoning the core command to love your neighbor

Insults (verse 35)

• Discarding or actively speaking against the Bible teachings
• Idolatry, holding on to the favorite sins and justifying those in our lives
• Disobedience, negligence, no desire or totally ignoring on God’s word and no transformation

But Jesus on the cross, He asks God to forgive His executioners, verse 34 Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”  

God's grace is extended even to those who cause profound suffering, ignorance, and injustice.

Jesus deep compassion provides -

         Ø  Unconditional forgiveness: Jesus forgives his tormentors without them asking for it. We are forgiven completely and saved so we may live according to God’s purpose.

         Ø  Mercy over Retaliation: He focuses on the spiritual peril of his executioners rather than his own physical pain. The urgency of sharing the good news on Jesus and to accept Him as our only Lord and savior, our only deliverer from hell.

        Ø  Exposes blindness through Sin: His phrase "they know not what they do" highlights that humanity is blinded by spiritual ignorance. The Holy Spirit exposes our sins so that we may be convicted to make it right with God and not to condemn us leading to falling away

       Ø  True repentance: That we may persevere daily to follow Christ even it cost us leaving our comfort, family, career and dreams. To always seek God immediately when we fall and never to give the devil the chance to rule our lives.

       Ø  God’s message to us: Intercessory prayer, to extend prayer to our families, Brothers and Sisters, our nation, and to the lost, as the Bible teaches that we are responsible for the need of a Savior. Believers are to love their enemies, pray for their persecutors, and release bitterness to anyone.

Jesus assures us it is never too late to turn to God, verse 42 the criminal who is also crucified said to Jesus, “Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And verse 43 says, Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

People might have done to us as well –

• ·         Unkind words
• ·         Discrimination
• ·         Harsh judgement
• ·         Slander
• ·         Gossip
• ·         Lying
• ·         Self-righteousness leading to deception.

Have we shown compassion to them by leading them to Christ?

Have we set aside the emotions, the rights “I deserve”, the worldly response “that’s his problem not mine” by rebuking them and showing them Jesus love?

Is our lives a testimony of God’s forgiveness who forgives those who wronged against us?

Have we allowed Jesus correction in our lives as a response to His deep compassion to us in the cross?

Are we persevering to follow Christ not only in words but in action in response to Jesus plead to the Father to forgive us from our sins?

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father thank you that even now you are merciful and compassionate apart from our sinful lives. Forgive us Father God for the times that we keep on crucifying you through our hardened hearts, disobedience, being lukewarm and turning our back from you. No words to describe how good you are to us; we are unable to measure the depths of your love even we are never and will never be worthy of it all. Lord Jesus, may we take your sacrifices in the cross with humility and complete surrender. May we deeply recognize your purpose in our lives, to live daily aligned with your word and to lead others especially the lost to Jesus. In Jesus mighty Name we pray, Amen.

----------------------------------------

ELDER ERNELYN - JCRC CAMBODIA