Jim Stephens' Gracenotes from Resource Ministries International

Jesus Crucified

ByJim Stephens

Scripture:  Luke 23:26-43

26 As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. 32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. 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. 35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” 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.” (Luke 23:26-27, 32-43 NLT)

As they nailed Jesus to the cross, hanging him between two criminals who were being brutally executed for their crimes, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Jesus prayed forgiveness for:

  • The soldiers who were gambling over his clothes after nailing him to the cross.
  • The crowd who watched and the Jewish leaders who scoffed and mocked him.
  • The soldiers who mocked him by offering him a drink of sour wine while they called out, “If you’re King of the Jews, save yourself!”
  • One crucified criminal who said, “Prove you’re the Messiah by saving yourself and us!”
  • Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.”

One crucified criminal turned to Jesus and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” He joined Jesus in His Kingdom at about sunset when the soldiers broke his legs and he breathed his last breath. Such is the forgiveness of God!

Prayer:

Father, Please let us grasp some new and precious facet of the Amazing Grace and the Indescribable Forgiveness of God! May we believe! May we receive! May we be transformed by the Amazing Grace and the Indescribable Forgiveness of God! May we become channels of the Indescribable Forgiveness and Grace of God! For Jesus’ Sake!