Forgiveness and Redemption: Jesus on the Cross

 

Summary

In our study of the Gospel According to Saint Luke, we delve into the profound narrative of Jesus' crucifixion, focusing on Luke 23:32-43. This passage reveals the depth of Jesus' compassion and the divine plan of redemption. As Jesus hung on the cross, he uttered the words, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." This plea for forgiveness was not for himself but for those who were executing him, highlighting his role as an intercessor even in his final moments. The ignorance of his executioners is a central theme, as they failed to recognize him as the Lord of Glory. Despite their mockery, Jesus' response was one of grace and mercy.

The concept of ignorance is further explored through the distinction between vincible and invincible ignorance, as articulated by Pope Pius IX. Vincible ignorance is ignorance that can be overcome, while invincible ignorance cannot. Jesus' executioners, particularly the religious leaders, should have recognized him as the Messiah, yet they were blinded by their own misconceptions. This ignorance, however, did not deter Jesus from his mission.

The mockery Jesus faced from the rulers, soldiers, and even one of the criminals crucified alongside him, underscores the misunderstanding of his true nature. They challenged him to save himself, not realizing that his choice to remain on the cross was a fulfillment of the eternal covenant of redemption. This covenant, established before the creation of the world, was a divine agreement among the Trinity to redeem humanity.

The interaction between Jesus and the repentant thief is a powerful testament to the promise of salvation. The thief's request, "Remember me when you come into your kingdom," is met with Jesus' assurance, "Today you will be with me in Paradise." This exchange emphasizes the immediacy of salvation and the hope of eternal life for those who believe.

Key Takeaways:

- Jesus' plea for forgiveness on the cross exemplifies his role as an intercessor, demonstrating profound compassion for his executioners despite their ignorance and mockery. This act of grace challenges us to extend forgiveness even to those who wrong us, recognizing that ignorance often underlies their actions. [04:08]

- The distinction between vincible and invincible ignorance highlights the complexity of human understanding and accountability. While some ignorance can be overcome, other forms are deeply ingrained and require divine intervention for enlightenment. This calls us to seek wisdom and understanding through prayer and study. [06:22]

- The mockery Jesus faced underscores the world's misunderstanding of his divine nature and mission. Despite the taunts, Jesus' choice to remain on the cross was a fulfillment of the eternal covenant of redemption, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to God's plan. This challenges us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when misunderstood. [13:19]

- The interaction between Jesus and the repentant thief illustrates the immediacy and certainty of salvation for those who believe. Jesus' promise of Paradise to the thief assures us that faith, even in our final moments, secures our place in God's kingdom. This offers hope and assurance of eternal life. [22:00]

- The eternal covenant of redemption, established before creation, reveals the unity and purpose of the Trinity in the salvation of humanity. This divine plan, executed through Jesus' sacrifice, calls us to trust in God's sovereign will and to live in gratitude for the gift of redemption. [17:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Reading from Luke 23:32-43
- [02:25] - Prayer for Understanding
- [03:14] - The Seven Utterances from the Cross
- [04:08] - Jesus' Plea for Forgiveness
- [05:22] - Ignorance and Sin
- [06:22] - Vincible vs. Invincible Ignorance
- [08:37] - Ignorance of the Scribes and Pharisees
- [10:28] - The Lord of Glory
- [11:29] - Mockery from the Rulers and Soldiers
- [13:19] - Could Jesus Have Saved Himself?
- [15:43] - The Covenant of Redemption
- [19:09] - Jesus' Commitment to the Covenant
- [20:07] - The Repentant Thief's Request
- [22:00] - Jesus' Promise of Paradise
- [25:33] - Assurance of Eternal Life

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 23:32-43

Observation Questions:
1. What were the specific words Jesus spoke from the cross, and to whom were they directed? [04:08]
2. How did the rulers, soldiers, and one of the criminals react to Jesus during the crucifixion? [11:29]
3. What was the request made by the repentant thief, and how did Jesus respond to him? [22:00]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' plea for forgiveness reveal about his character and mission, even in his final moments? [04:08]
2. How does the concept of vincible and invincible ignorance apply to the actions of Jesus' executioners and the religious leaders? [06:22]
3. What is the significance of Jesus' promise to the repentant thief, and what does it teach about the nature of salvation? [22:00]

Application Questions:
1. Jesus extended forgiveness to those who wronged him. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive, even if they may not fully understand their actions? How can you take a step towards forgiveness this week? [04:08]
2. The sermon discussed the difference between vincible and invincible ignorance. Are there areas in your life where you might be willfully ignorant? How can you seek wisdom and understanding in those areas? [06:22]
3. Jesus remained committed to his mission despite mockery and misunderstanding. Have you ever felt misunderstood in your faith journey? How can you remain steadfast in your beliefs? [13:19]
4. The repentant thief recognized Jesus' kingdom and sought his mercy. How can you cultivate a heart of repentance and seek God's kingdom in your daily life? [22:00]
5. The eternal covenant of redemption was a divine plan established before creation. How does understanding this plan affect your trust in God's sovereignty and your gratitude for salvation? [17:22]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt the need for immediate salvation or assurance. How can you share the hope of eternal life with someone who might be seeking it? [22:00]
7. Jesus' sacrifice was part of a divine agreement among the Trinity. How can you live in a way that honors this sacrifice and reflects gratitude for the gift of redemption? [17:22]

Devotional

Day 1: Forgiveness in the Face of Ignorance
Jesus' plea for forgiveness on the cross exemplifies his role as an intercessor, demonstrating profound compassion for his executioners despite their ignorance and mockery. This act of grace challenges us to extend forgiveness even to those who wrong us, recognizing that ignorance often underlies their actions. Jesus' words, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," reveal a depth of love and mercy that transcends human understanding. His ability to forgive in such a moment of suffering calls us to reflect on our own capacity for forgiveness and the barriers we face in extending grace to others. [04:08]

"And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And they cast lots to divide his garments." (Luke 23:33-34, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?


Day 2: The Complexity of Ignorance
The distinction between vincible and invincible ignorance highlights the complexity of human understanding and accountability. While some ignorance can be overcome, other forms are deeply ingrained and require divine intervention for enlightenment. This calls us to seek wisdom and understanding through prayer and study. The religious leaders of Jesus' time were blinded by their own misconceptions, unable to recognize the Messiah in their midst. This serves as a reminder of the importance of humility and openness to divine truth, urging us to examine our own hearts for areas where ignorance may be hindering our spiritual growth. [06:22]

"For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them." (Matthew 13:15, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you may be spiritually ignorant. How can you seek God's wisdom and understanding to overcome this ignorance today?


Day 3: Misunderstanding Divine Purpose
The mockery Jesus faced underscores the world's misunderstanding of his divine nature and mission. Despite the taunts, Jesus' choice to remain on the cross was a fulfillment of the eternal covenant of redemption, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to God's plan. This challenges us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when misunderstood. Jesus' endurance in the face of ridicule serves as a powerful example of faithfulness to God's will, encouraging us to trust in His purpose for our lives, even when it is not fully understood by those around us. [13:19]

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1:25, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a time when you felt misunderstood in your faith. How can you remain committed to God's purpose for your life despite external pressures?


Day 4: The Promise of Salvation
The interaction between Jesus and the repentant thief illustrates the immediacy and certainty of salvation for those who believe. Jesus' promise of Paradise to the thief assures us that faith, even in our final moments, secures our place in God's kingdom. This offers hope and assurance of eternal life. The thief's simple request, "Remember me when you come into your kingdom," and Jesus' response, "Today you will be with me in Paradise," highlight the transformative power of faith and the grace that is available to all who turn to Christ. [22:00]

"And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.'" (Luke 23:43, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your own faith journey. How does the promise of salvation through faith in Jesus bring you hope and assurance today?


Day 5: Trusting in the Eternal Covenant
The eternal covenant of redemption, established before creation, reveals the unity and purpose of the Trinity in the salvation of humanity. This divine plan, executed through Jesus' sacrifice, calls us to trust in God's sovereign will and to live in gratitude for the gift of redemption. Understanding that this covenant was set in place before the world began emphasizes the intentionality and love behind God's plan for salvation. It invites us to rest in the assurance of His promises and to live our lives in response to His grace. [17:22]

"Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will." (Ephesians 1:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you live in gratitude for the gift of redemption today? What steps can you take to trust more fully in God's sovereign will for your life?

Quotes

"Jesus said, father forgive them for they know not what they do. The first utterance that came from the lips of our savior as he was in the process of brutally being executed were the tender words of a personal plea that he made to the father not for himself, not for his safety, not for his well-being, but for those who were murdering him." [00:04:10]

"Even before he enters into the heavenly holy of holies, even before he rose to the position as being our high priest forever, he even now was acting in intercession as a priest for his tormentors, pleading for their forgiveness father forgive them, he held out mitigating circumstances as such because he said they just don't know what they're doing, they're acting out of ignorance." [00:04:45]

"Now the scriptures realize that when we sin against God there are sometimes mitigating circumstances measured in part by levels of knowledge and the lack of it in the Old Testament system of penitence there were Provisions made for those sins that were committed in ignorance." [00:05:27]

"Vincible ignorance is ignorance that could be and should be overcome, that is when we say that somebody should know better to do what they were doing, but Invincible ignorance ignorance cannot be conquered is so described as an ignorance that a person in normal circumstances wouldn't be able to overcome was too powerful." [00:07:41]

"Who was it that was being crucified this Jesus was not just a man he was the god man and though in his human nature he was utterly impotent to save himself he had no strength left to do it he was still perfectly United to his divine nature and that divine nature in his deity was absolutely omnipotent." [00:15:24]

"All the divine nature had to do with say one word he speaks and the Earth melts every one of the executioners would have fallen dead had the divine nature taking charge we have two words in the English language that are separated by one letter there's the word could which begins with the sea and there's a word would that begins with a w." [00:15:43]

"Ladies and gentlemen the reason why Jesus didn't save himself was not because he couldn't do it he didn't save himself because he wouldn't do it why not recently I received the book fresh for publication a study of the Trinity and of the Covenant of redemption written by a theology professor at Westminster Seminary." [00:16:19]

"And it's because of the Covenant of redemption that Jesus stayed on the cross because it wasn't a week before that the father had a conversation with the son and with the Holy Ghost and said here's our plan if they come and capture you and if they seek to put you to death we want you to stay where you are because it is our Plan of Redemption." [00:16:39]

"The trinitarian Plan of Redemption was settled in eternity before a single person was created before Adam and Eve were made out of the ground and then from Adam but from all eternity the Triune God was of one mind and one will and one Eternal purpose to create and to redeem this Fallen group of human beings for the Eternal purpose and glory of God himself." [00:17:22]

"And though they were essentially one having only one essential mind and one essential will nevertheless touching the persons of the trinity the subsistencies if you will of the Divine Essence containing three persons among the godhead among these persons was a perfect agreement and perfect Unity and it was the father who sent the son it was the son who accomplished Redemption." [00:18:01]

"The human nature shrunk before it in Gethsemane but eternity had determined that that cup had to be drunken to its limits to its Drakes and so if the son would keep the Covenant with the father and with the spirit he would not come down he could not because he would not he would never break Covenant." [00:18:56]

"Jesus had a covenant to keep so he listened to the mockery he listened to the torments and the taunting and as the one Thief taunted him said aren't you the Christ save yourself and us but the other Thief now spoke his peace and he said do you not fear God says you're under the same sentence of condemnation and we indeed justly for we are receiving the due reward of our Deeds." [00:19:49]

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Transcript
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