The Heart of Jesus: Forgiveness, Sacrifice, and Trust
Summary
In reflecting on the profound events of Good Friday, we are drawn to the heart of Jesus as he hung on the cross, enduring unimaginable suffering. This moment in history is not just a narrative of pain but a revelation of the heart of our Savior. As we consider the seven last statements of Jesus, we gain insight into his heart and the depth of his love for humanity.
The first words Jesus uttered were, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Despite the excruciating pain and the injustice of his crucifixion, Jesus' heart was one of forgiveness. He exemplified the ultimate act of grace, forgiving those who were actively causing his suffering. This teaches us that forgiveness is not just an act but a way of life, a reflection of the heart of God.
As Jesus conversed with the repentant thief, he assured him, "Today you will be with me in paradise." This promise highlights Jesus' heart that desires to save. Even in his final moments, he offered salvation to a criminal, demonstrating that it is never too late to turn to Christ. The assurance of salvation is not based on our merit but on Jesus' promise and his heart's desire to save the lost.
In his care for his mother, Jesus showed a heart that truly cares. Amidst his suffering, he ensured that Mary would be cared for by the disciple John. This act reminds us that God cares deeply about our personal concerns and needs, no matter how small they may seem in the grand scheme of things.
When Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" he revealed a heart of sacrifice. He bore the weight of the world's sin, experiencing separation from the Father so that we might never have to. This sacrifice underscores the seriousness of sin and the depth of Jesus' love for us.
Finally, Jesus' declaration, "It is finished," and his trust in the Father as he committed his spirit into God's hands, reveal a heart that understands and trusts. Jesus fulfilled every prophecy and completed the work of salvation, trusting in the Father's plan. This trust is a model for us, encouraging us to place our lives in God's hands, knowing that his purposes will prevail.
Key Takeaways:
- A Heart of Forgiveness: Jesus' first words on the cross were a plea for forgiveness for those who crucified him. This profound act of grace teaches us that forgiveness should be a way of life, reflecting the heart of God. We are called to forgive others, not based on their actions, but as an expression of the forgiveness we have received. [03:46]
- A Heart that Desires to Save: Jesus assured the repentant thief of his place in paradise, demonstrating that salvation is available to all, regardless of their past. This moment highlights the heart of Jesus, which longs to save the lost and offers hope that it is never too late to turn to him. [10:38]
- A Heart that Truly Cares: Even in his suffering, Jesus ensured his mother was cared for, showing that God cares about our personal concerns. This act reminds us that no matter how small our problems may seem, God is attentive and compassionate towards our needs. [18:36]
- A Heart of Sacrifice: Jesus' cry of abandonment reveals the depth of his sacrifice, as he bore the weight of sin and experienced separation from the Father. This sacrifice underscores the seriousness of sin and the immense love Jesus has for us, willing to endure the ultimate pain for our salvation. [36:01]
- A Heart that Understands and Trusts: Jesus' final words, "It is finished," and his trust in the Father, demonstrate his understanding of God's plan and his complete trust in it. This trust is a model for us, encouraging us to place our lives in God's hands, knowing that his purposes will prevail. [39:36]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:46] - The Heart of Forgiveness
- [10:38] - Assurance of Salvation
- [18:36] - A Heart that Cares
- [25:00] - The Darkness of Separation
- [30:00] - Fulfillment of Prophecy
- [36:01] - The Heart of Sacrifice
- [39:36] - It is Finished
- [42:00] - Trusting the Father
- [45:00] - The Burial and Promise of Resurrection
- [48:00] - Reflecting the Savior's Heart
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Reflecting on the Heart of Jesus
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 23:33-34
2. Luke 23:39-43
3. John 19:26-27
---
Observation Questions:
1. What were Jesus' first words on the cross, and what do they reveal about his heart? [03:46]
2. How did Jesus respond to the repentant thief, and what promise did he make? [10:38]
3. In John 19:26-27, what specific action did Jesus take to care for his mother, and why is this significant? [18:36]
4. What does Jesus' cry of "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" indicate about his experience on the cross? [18:36]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' plea for forgiveness for those who crucified him challenge our understanding of forgiveness? [03:46]
2. What does the interaction between Jesus and the repentant thief teach us about the nature of salvation and Jesus' desire to save? [10:38]
3. Why is Jesus' care for his mother during his crucifixion an important demonstration of his heart that truly cares? [18:36]
4. How does Jesus' expression of feeling forsaken by God deepen our understanding of the sacrifice he made? [18:36]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you found it difficult to forgive someone. How can Jesus' example on the cross inspire you to embrace forgiveness as a way of life? [03:46]
2. Consider someone in your life who may feel far from God. How can you share the message of salvation and hope with them, as Jesus did with the repentant thief? [10:38]
3. In what ways can you show care and concern for your family and loved ones, even when you are going through personal challenges? [18:36]
4. How do you handle feelings of abandonment or separation from God in your own life? What can you learn from Jesus' experience on the cross to help you trust in God's plan? [18:36]
5. Jesus fulfilled every prophecy and trusted in God's plan. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's purposes for your life, especially when things seem uncertain? [39:36]
6. Identify a personal concern or need that you feel is too small for God to care about. How can you bring this to God in prayer, trusting that he truly cares for you? [18:36]
7. Reflect on the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for humanity. How can this understanding motivate you to live a life of gratitude and service to others? [36:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Forgiveness as a Lifestyle
In the midst of his suffering on the cross, Jesus' first words were a plea for forgiveness for those who were crucifying him. This act of grace is not just a momentary decision but a reflection of a heart that embodies forgiveness as a way of life. Jesus' example teaches us that forgiveness is not contingent on the actions of others but is an expression of the forgiveness we have received from God. As followers of Christ, we are called to extend this same grace to others, allowing forgiveness to permeate our lives and relationships. [03:46]
"And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." (Mark 11:25, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone you have struggled to forgive. What steps can you take today to begin the process of forgiveness, following Jesus' example on the cross?
Day 2: Salvation for All
Jesus' assurance to the repentant thief on the cross, "Today you will be with me in paradise," reveals his heart's desire to save. This moment underscores that salvation is available to everyone, regardless of their past actions or life choices. Jesus' promise to the thief demonstrates that it is never too late to turn to him and receive the gift of salvation. This assurance is not based on our merit but on Jesus' love and desire to save the lost. [10:38]
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10, ESV)
Reflection: Consider someone in your life who seems far from God. How can you pray for them and be a witness of Jesus' love and salvation to them today?
Day 3: God's Care in Our Concerns
Even in his suffering, Jesus showed deep care for his mother by ensuring she would be looked after by the disciple John. This act of compassion highlights that God is attentive to our personal concerns and needs, no matter how small they may seem. Jesus' care for Mary reminds us that God is intimately involved in our lives and cares deeply about our well-being. [18:36]
"Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7, ESV)
Reflection: What personal concern or need can you bring to God today, trusting in his care and compassion for you?
Day 4: The Depth of Sacrifice
Jesus' cry of abandonment on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" reveals the depth of his sacrifice. He bore the weight of the world's sin and experienced separation from the Father so that we might never have to. This profound sacrifice underscores the seriousness of sin and the immense love Jesus has for us, willing to endure the ultimate pain for our salvation. [36:01]
"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for you. How does understanding the depth of his love and sacrifice impact the way you live your life today?
Day 5: Trusting in God's Plan
Jesus' final words, "It is finished," and his trust in the Father as he committed his spirit into God's hands, demonstrate his understanding and trust in God's plan. Jesus fulfilled every prophecy and completed the work of salvation, showing us the importance of trusting in God's purposes. This trust is a model for us, encouraging us to place our lives in God's hands, knowing that his plans will prevail. [39:36]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust God more fully? How can you actively place this area in his hands today?
Quotes
"Matthew 12, verse 34 tells us, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. That is so true on this Good Friday when you remember the dying of Jesus for the sins of mankind to bring salvation to all. I wonder sometimes what it was that Jesus was feeling as he was experiencing the pain and agony of the cross. What was his heart's reflection? If out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Then there are seven of the heart, the mouth speaks. Then there are seven of the heart." [00:01:33] (34 seconds)
---
"Yet, in those first few hours, Jesus' first words, what were they? His wounds, still so fresh. Every agonizing breath he took, filled with pain. What did he say? Father, forgive them. For they do not know what they do. Do they know what they're doing? Sure they do. In fact, Luke adds that phrase. They divided his garments and cast lots for it. They were stealing his clothes, not even giving him any dignity in his last moments of life, dividing the last earthly valuables he had." [00:05:11] (37 seconds)
---
"Christ himself exemplifies this in the most visible of forms the most supreme example of forgiveness he was repeatedly hurt yet he repeatedly forgave the heart of the Savior is one of forgiveness a heart that forgives I want you to let that sink in in a moment of excruciating pain to everyone who was a part of this this this hurtful process he says to the father forgive them for they know not what they do a heart that forgives that was the heart of the Savior on that Good Friday that is how God treats us even today are we wrong absolutely most of the time do we disappoint him absolutely do we shatter his heart and break his heart in our actions in our sinful ways and thoughts absolutely and yet I want you to understand this evening that the Savior's heart God the son God himself his heart is a heart that desires to forgive and if you think you've caused or done anything that is unforgivable think again if Christ can forgive the very people who nailed his body to the cross he will forgive you as well it doesn't matter what you've done what a great opportunity to come to him Luke 23 verse 39 to 43 says this then one of the criminals who are hanged blaspheme to him saying if you are the Christ save yourself and us but the other answering abuse him saying do you not even fear God seeing you are under the same condemnation for indeed a justly for we receive the due reward of our our deeds but this man has done nothing wrong" [00:06:24] (128 seconds)
---
"then he said to Jesus Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom Jesus said to him assuredly I say to you today you will be with me in paradise it was about 11 a .m. Friday morning the two thieves on either side of him were shouting at each other they were of an argument one was rebellious to the end the other was repentant ask Christ to forgive him you know it is in moments when we know that life will not last very long that there suddenly becomes a clarity in one's mind about what is important in life what is true clarity and in that moment of clarity for these two criminals must have been violent criminals thieves robbers perhaps to the point of murder that they deserve death by crucifixion one in his heart and heart continued to mock Jesus the other said do you not see that this man has done nothing wrong and pleaded with the Lord to remember him you know sadly most people only think about the end of life matters when either they experience a loved one passing or they get a lot older and there even at the beginning or at the very end of life what do we see we see a Savior who began his ministry bringing forth salvation and at the very end of his time on earth at the very last moment where he could be teaching he could be condemning what does he do he turns to the other criminal he says today you will be with me in paradise one of his last words a great assurance of salvation today we will be together it's not a" [00:08:31] (127 seconds)
---
"news of sadness it is a news of great joy we will always be together from this moment forward that's why there's never it's never too late to make a decision whether even your deathbed because as you have breath whatever decisions you make today will reverberate throughout eternity and the uniqueness of christianity is that we can know that we will be in heaven with our lord why because of the certainty and the security and the assurance of our salvation not because we want it to be so but because god the son said himself at his very last breath to some robber you today will be with me in paradise you know the key word is not paradise the key phrase is you will be with me with me i'm going to heaven and you're coming with me today i don't know how many more hours that thief lived i want to ask him but if it's five or six hours i'd like to think that there was a smile on his face a smile that he has not had for many years of his life the smile of a sinner saved by grace" [00:12:00] (84 seconds)
---
"to have the savior assure you today you will be with me in heaven it's done you see the heart of our savior at the very moment he was dying is that he had a heart that desires to save a desire to save the last person to come to know christ and believe on him for salvation was a nameless common criminal who most people don't even care about and yet it was the most fitting thing that christ's sole purpose was on earth which was to seek and to save the lost he did while he was on the cross you because he desires to save and I don't know what Christ is to you today is he a lucky talisman or you call on him only when you need him but his main purpose in your life and mine was to save you and me from the eternal hellish destiny that all of us deserve that's why it's the greatest Friday in all history look to me at John chapter 19 verses 26 to 27" [00:15:23] (78 seconds)
---
"when Jesus therefore saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing by he said to his mother woman behold your son then he said to the disciple behold your mother and from that hour that disciple took her to his own home seems a bit odd that out of the last words of Jesus you would have this gautai this this admonition and this this leaving of a domestic matter when you're saving the world to ensure that his earthly mother Mary was taken care of but you know in the Old Testament and New Testament there's both an admonition to honor your father and mother Exodus chapter 20 verse 12 says this honor your father and mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you and then in Ephesians chapter 6 verses 2 and 3 honor your father and mother this is the first commandment with the promise so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on this earth there are a lot of commands in the Bible but this is one of the only commands with a promise attached to it of course so honoring your parents doesn't mean blindly following them or forever obeying them if they tell you to do something wrong or telling you to do something that is against God's command but the force of this biblical principle is to respect and care for them what are you who are going to do and after coming to you" [00:18:03] (91 seconds)
---
"and jesus lived out his own principles perfectly while he was suffering on the cross what did he do he thought of his mother he did not abdicate his earthly responsibilities as the firstborn remember the firstborn he had a lot of half brothers the firstborn of mary his earthly mother now why john why did jesus give charge to john to care for his mother of all the disciples why john well if you remember out of all the disciples john was the one who lived the longest in fact john most likely died a natural death as he was exiled on the island patmos and wrote the book of the revelation most all of the the other eleven disciples matthias replacing judas all died through martyrdom and to make sure that his earthly mother mary would be taken care of until the end of her earthly life jesus entrusted her i believe to the disciple he knew would outlive her" [00:21:05] (74 seconds)
---
"if you remember throughout the prophets they prophesied about the coming Messiah and the gospel writers wanted you and I to understand that Jesus is the promised Messiah in fulfillment of prophecy everything he had to go through he had to go through because it was prophesied and when Jesus says I thirst he was fulfilling a very obscure prophecy in Psalm 69 but in that sense Jesus was saying guys I don't want you to worry everything is going as planned everything that's what the gospel writer says in fulfillment of Scripture Jesus going through this not because all the events overtook him well what's happening why is Jesus dying no no I want you to understand that this is God's plan for the salvation of mankind everything is going to plan even though it makes no sense and you can imagine his mother his friends his disciples they are wondering what in the world is happening that the one who claimed to be the Messiah and we saw by his words and miracles was the Messiah how is he on the cross about to die so that everything written about the Son of Man would be accomplished this was part of God's plan and Jesus understood this because he had a heart that understands a heart that understands what has to be done has to be done my friends so also in our lives he knows what's going on there are no events that overtake him God is not surprised by what is happening in the world because his will will always be accomplished he understands fulfilling prophecies and promises is his heart's beat he loves to fulfill promises and he" [00:25:26] (126 seconds)
---
"understands what you and I are going through Jesus refused gall mixed with wine earlier that was an anesthetic this one the sour vinegar was a stimulant it was at the point near his death his mouth was dry he wanted that last mm because he would say two more things that would define the truth of our very belief these final two statements were spoken consecutively one after each other but they hold with it great spiritual significance John chapter 19 verse 30 so when Jesus note this had received the sour wine his mouth was at that moment stimulated and he could speak with clarity of voice voice throat no longer parched what did he say it is finished and bowing his head he gave up his spirit but he wasn't spoken like that because mark 15 verse 37 says he cried out with a loud voice it is finished what's finished the work of salvation was completed at the cross once completed for ever completed the work of redemption was completed first Timothy chapter 1 verse 15 says Christ came into the world to save sinners the dead of our sin was fully paid salvation for mankind at that moment was secured and assured that's why our works can never save us" [00:27:32] (118 seconds)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?