You Are Forgiven...

February 22, 2015

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

1^st Sunday of Lent

Final Words Sermon Series

 “Father Forgive Them”

Luke 23:26, 33-34a NIV

Adapted from Adam Hamilton’s book “Final Words From the Cross”

“You are forgiven…”

Let us pray…Pray for God’s word to be heard through me or in spite of me…

We live in such a fallen world. We see and hear so much anger, despair, hopelessness, and brokenness form and by humanity. We even sometimes wonder where God is in all this. We, as humanity, act in ways towards each other that just can be downright mean. We say things that we are sorry for after it is said. We have things said to us that can just rock our world. Words and actions have such an effect on us and on those around us.

I remember when I was growing up when people said something mean to us we would just say back “sticks and stones may hurt my bones but names will never hurt me.” It was a quick answer to give others but the trueness in it is that words can and do really hurt sometimes.

I remember a children’s sermon illustration that truly changed how I view the words I say. The pastor had a pan and a tube of toothpaste. Well the pastor asked the kids what he had and of course the kids said a pan and toothpaste. Well, he took the toothpaste and squirted it out on the pan. Well the kids thought that it was funny seeing all the toothpaste on the pan. Then the pastor said to them “Ok…now put it back in the tube.” Well the kids told him that there was no way to do that. The pastor then said “Words are much like this tube of toothpaste. Once they are out, you can’t put it back in…”

So…what are we o do when we or someone else has “emptied the tube of toothpaste all over us”? What are we to do when someone has hurt us right down to the core and we are angry and hurt? How are we to get past this point in our journey of life and faith? Is there some example or “illustration” that that we could follow because when we are in the midst of it all we want to do is to get even…to hurt that person back?

We have begun our Lenten journey to the Cross of Calvary. As we journey, we are going to be taking a look at the Final words…the seven last words or phrases…of Jesus from the cross. These were the last words of His ministry here on earth. You see…even from the cross, Jesus was still doing ministry. It was the leading up of the climax of His ministry and the reason He was sent from above. It is to this place that we will stop and ponder as we await the celebration of His victory.

So…the first of these momentous phrases is the one found in Luke 22:23 and 33-34a and they read…

26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Father, forgive them for they do not know that they are doing…

Forgiveness can be hard. Un-forgiveness has been around for a long time…An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Jesus’ prayer from the cross for them is one of the most powerful Illustrations of God’s love in all of the Gospels.

But there is someone else that is being forgiven from the cross…you and I…we are included in the them from the cross… The entire human race was there at the foot of Calvary. These words from the cross were ones that rang through all of eternity. He was praying for humanity as well as giving Himself as the sacrificial lamb. His prayer was for those who came before, those who were present and for those who would come after this moment in time. It was not just those who around the cross that needed forgiveness…all of humanity needed and needs forgiveness. This is about God’s grace and mercy…not about what we can do to be forgiven.

Father, forgive them for they do not know that they are doing…

Jesus was praying for God’s mercy and grace on all those who sin…all those who do and will do wrong. It was a prayer for us because God knew what we would do…how we would sin…before we were ever born. This forgiveness was towards you and me before we took our first breath…we were forgiven even before we sinned…

Father, forgive them for they do not know that they are doing…

Now…here is our example of what to do when we are wronged. Now just think about this for one moment…If Jesus, who was perfect and knew no wrong, can forgive those before, during and after this moment in time…how can we not forgive those who sin against us…?

Father, forgive them for they do not know that they are doing…

Forgiveness can be complicated at times. There are those who will never ask for forgiveness or repent of what they have done. This is where it is difficult to forgive. But in order to live a life free for resentment and anger…sometimes we have to just forgive them anyway… Think of what the alternative to forgiving is… It is in these times when we need to pray that model prayer of forgiving others that was modeled from the cross of Jesus…

Father, forgive them for they do not know that they are doing…

We have begun our Lenten pilgrimage to the cross. My prayer is that as we journey we will learn from the words of Jesus from the cross. My prayer is that we will come away changed. My prayer is that we would see the Cross of Calvary in a new and exciting way.

So…what are we to do with our unforgiveness of those who have wronged us? This is what I want you to do. Take a moment to think about people who have wronged you. Perhaps even write their names on the bulletin you have. Now here is the tough part, would you be willing now to join me in the prayer that Jesus prayed for those who crucified them?

A moment of silence to take the time to write down…think of…the people who may have wronged us…

Father, forgive them. Father you know their heart and you know my pain. I pray for those who hurt me. Forgive them, heal me…Amen

Now you may have to come back several times and pray this prayer of forgiveness. Every time you feel that anger or resentment coming sneaking back…just say Father forgive them.  It may take time, but eventually you heart will be healed.

Father, forgive them for they do not know that they are doing…

Amen…