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And this was no small prayer, as the tenses point out He kept saying! Forgiveness has two parts: it must be accepted as well as bestowed. Jesus made it available to all but this offer was not availed except by the few! So Jesus was praying for His enemies, for sinful humanity as a Faithful High priest!
NOT FOR HIMSELF BUT FOR OTHERS HE PRAYS!
To the end of His life, at the hour of death, His life long communion with God continues.
ā¢ No longer can He touch the sick and infirm to heal them, He is NAILED!
ā¢ No longer can He open those sightless eyes to see His truth, He is DYING!
ā¢ No longer can He multiply loaves and fish to picture eternal food, He is ALONE!
So what does He do? He speaks a Word of Forgiveness. For a moment listen to the heart of Charles Wesley reflected in the hymn Arise my soul arise.
Arise my soul arise,
Shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice,
In my behalf appears;
Before the throne my surety stand,
My name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above,
For me to intercede;
His all redeeming love,
His precious blood to plead;
His blood atoned for all our race,
and sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears,
Received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers,
They strongly plead for me;
Forgive him, O, forgive they cry,
Nor let that ransomed sinner die.
The Father hears Him pray,
His dear annointed One;
He can not turn away,
The presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.
My God is reconciled,
His pardoning voice I hear,
He owns me for His child,
I can no longer fear;
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And Father, Abba Father, cry.
Back to our text in Luke 23:33-34 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals — one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (NIV) and see with me four components of Christs word of forgiveness.