{"id":4980,"date":"2013-03-24T13:37:38","date_gmt":"2013-03-24T18:37:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/markdroberts\/?p=4980"},"modified":"2015-03-13T15:31:04","modified_gmt":"2015-03-13T20:31:04","slug":"the-seven-last-words-of-christ-the-first-word","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/markdroberts\/2013\/03\/24\/the-seven-last-words-of-christ-the-first-word\/","title":{"rendered":"The Seven Last Words of Christ – The First Word"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

The First Word:
\n\u201cFather, forgive them, for they don\u2019t know what they\u2019re doing.\u201d
\n(Luke 23:34)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Copyright \u00a9 2007, Linda E. S. Roberts. For permission to use this picture, please contact Mark.<\/p>\n

Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n

It makes sense that the first word of Jesus from the cross is a word of forgiveness. That\u2019s the point of the cross, after all. Jesus is dying so that we might be forgiven for our sins, so that we might be reconciled to God for eternity.<\/p>\n

But the forgiveness of God through Christ doesn\u2019t come only to those who don\u2019t know what they are doing when they sin. In the mercy of God, we receive his forgiveness even when we do what we know to be wrong. God chooses to wipe away our sins, not because we have some convenient excuse, and not because we have tried hard to make up for them, but because he is a God of amazing grace, with mercies that are new every morning.<\/p>\n

As we read the words, \u201cFather, forgive them,\u201d may we understand that we too are forgiven through Christ. As John writes in his first letter, \u201cBut if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness\u201d (1 John 1:9). Because Christ died on the cross for us, we are cleansed from all wickedness, from every last sin. We are united with God the Father as his beloved children. We are free to approach his throne of grace with our needs and concerns. God \u201chas removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west\u201d (Psalm 103:13). What great news!<\/p>\n

Questions for Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you really believe God has forgiven your sins? Do you take time on a regular basis to confess your sins so that you might enjoy the freedom of forgiveness? Do you need to experience God\u2019s forgiveness in a fresh way today?<\/p>\n

Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gracious Lord Jesus, it\u2019s easy for me to speak of your forgiveness, even to ask for it and to thank you for it. But do I really believe I\u2019m forgiven? Do I experience the freedom that comes from the assurance that you have cleansed me from my sins? Or do I live as if I\u2019m \u201csemi-forgiven\u201d? Even though I\u2019ve put my faith in you and confessed my sins, do I live as if sin still has power over me? Do I try to prove myself to you, as if I might be able to earn more forgiveness?<\/p>\n

Dear Lord, though I believe at one level that you have forgiven me, this amazing truth needs to penetrate my heart in new ways. Help me to know with fresh conviction that I am fully and finally forgiven, not because of anything I have done, but because of what you have done for me.<\/p>\n

May I live today as a forgiven person, opening my heart to you, choosing not to sin because the power of sin has been broken by your salvation.<\/p>\n

All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, for your matchless forgiveness! Amen.<\/p>\n

Resources for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Seven Last Words of Christ: Reflections for Holy Week<\/a>
\n(the seven-part series, of which today\u2019s post is part 1)<\/p>\n

The Stations of the Cross: A Devotional Guide for Lent and Holy Week<\/a><\/p>\n

Why Did Jesus Have to Die? Roman, Jewish, and Christian Perspectives<\/a><\/p>\n

Introduction to Eastertide: The Season of Easter<\/a><\/p>\n

Handel\u2019s Messiah<\/em>: An Unexpected Easter<\/em> Masterpiece<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The First Word: \u201cFather, forgive them, for they don\u2019t know what they\u2019re doing.\u201d (Luke 23:34) Copyright \u00a9 2007, Linda E. S. Roberts. For permission to use this picture, please contact Mark. Reflection It makes sense that the first word of Jesus from the cross is a word of forgiveness. That\u2019s the point of the cross, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":109,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5572,16882],"tags":[17160,17159,21638,21666],"class_list":["post-4980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-holy-week","category-seven-last-words","tag-first-word","tag-forgive","tag-holy-week","tag-seven-last-words"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Seven Last Words of Christ - The First Word<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The First Word: \u201cFather, forgive them, for they don\u2019t know what they\u2019re doing.\u201d (Luke 23:34) Copyright \u00a9 2007, Linda E. S. Roberts. 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