Seven Last Words of Christ: Father forgive them

Seven Last Words of Christ:

Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34).

He came to bring them back to God, yet they beat him, humiliated him, and nailed him to a cross naked to let him die slowly.

But when he died, and as he died, he said forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.

But did they? How could he say that? They knew what they were doing. They were killing him because he disagreed with them. He had a different viewpoint than they and was more popular in it than they were so they killed him. They were trying to shut him up.

They wanted nothing more than to stop all dissenting points of view. And that was what he was: an annoying different point of view.

They had done this since their people began. In the Old Testament, prophet after prophet came and told them what God had to say. They didn’t want to listen so they tried their best to stop them.

It never worked, of course, but they tried. And when Jesus came, it was the same. They did not want to hear him, so they tried to stop him. But Jesus realized that they really didn’t understand it all. They thought they were doing business as usual. They thought it was normal to do this. Jesus knew it wasn’t.

He knew they didn’t realize his message and that when they did, they would be sorry they had turned it down. He knew that in a few days, a huge bunch of these people right here today would accept that message and then would feel sorrow for killing him. He knew that.

But they didn’t now. Not yet. And they didn’t realize that a God of love does not operate in an atmosphere of hatred. In this new order, killing is not acceptable. Obedience, like love, has to be from the heart or it is no good.

It was painful to him, beyond imagining. But he knew they just didn’t understand.

When people hurt the preacher in a church because he disagrees with them, when they cause him to be fired, when they try to make his family homeless, it is the same thing. They just don’t understand.

When people split a church because of doctrinal differences and put others out of their assemblies, it is the same thing. They just don’t understand.

When people work behind the scenes in an underhanded way to try to split a church, when they write letters, when they spread gossip or rumors, when they try to drive a wedge, it is the same thing. They just don’t understand.

They think they are doing it the normal way. But they aren’t. Sometimes, of course, they will never understand. Sometimes they will never come to a level of understanding and see what the will of God truly is. But even so, like Jesus said, they still just don’t understand.

Jesus went to his death forgiving those who had hurt him. How can we do any less?

the seven last words of jesus

Today is Good Friday, the day we mourn the passing of the physical body of the Son of God.

It is not the end, but really, merely the beginning.  If begins our life in Jesus, our participation in the Kingdom of God, our place at his table.

There was no way we could touch God. It would be like plugging our toasters into the high wire line. It would explode. The power and goodness of God is too great and we are too sinful.

So he sent his Son. He became human like we are, yet lived his life with no sin. He alone of all that have ever lived can touch God. And because he was human, he can also touch us. He is the bridge between us and God. We touch him, he touches God and through him, we touch God.

It is that power of being able to come into the throne room of God that Jesus brought us in his death.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 says: For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

There is no election to decide who will bring us to God. Mohammed, Buddha, Krishna – there are no other choices. It is either Jesus or nobody.

Acts 4:12 says There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Jesus alone is our Savior.

As he died on the cross, several things went through his mind. These are seen in the seven last words that he said. In them is all of the sorrow, sadness, humanity and triumph of his death.

The Seven Last Words
Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing (Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.).

I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:35-43  39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”  40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”  43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”).

Dear woman, here is your son.” “Here is your mother (John 19:26-27 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.).

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Matthew 27:46 At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.  At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” and Mark 15:34).


I am thirsty (John 19:28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips.).


It is finished (John 19:30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.).

Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands! (Luke 23:46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.)

That I can go to meet my God like he did.