1st Word on the Cross by Jesus - 31st day in the lent

      "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"

Luke 23:34
                Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

This is the first verse spoken by our Lord Jesus on the cross. We always give more importance to the last words or thoughts shared by the persons who are at the death bed. We would like to fulfill their last desires in our lives. Our Lord Jesus’ first word is a prayer to His Father. He is pleading to the Father to forgive those who hurt, spat, crushed, and nailed him on the cross. What a LOVE! Jesus had set an example for us follow. Whatever he preached, he practiced. His love never changed even after going through all this agony. He loved and He still loves the whole world. He came down to the earth taking the form of a man (servant, slave) and humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Phil2:6-8 Thus was his love shown.

• Praying for forgiveness:

Even when he was on earth, Jesus forgave the sins of the people and then healed them. And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. Luke 5:20, 24-25 The Lord loves the sinners but hates sin. By shedding His blood on the cross, he has redeemed us. His blood cleanses us, from all unrighteousness. He has set an example for us to follow. Jesus said, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. “ Matthew 5:44 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” Luke 6:35 Stephen when he was stoned he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:60 ‘Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”Romans 12:14, 17-19 ‘Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.’ Proverbs 24:17 “If I have rejoiced at the ruin of him who hated me, or exulted when evil overtook him, Job considers this as sin. Job 31:29
How are we in our daily life? Are we forgiving others? We have to forgive and forget about. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.’ Romans 12:18 Jesus forgives our sins and he remembers it no more.

• Praying for those who do not know Him:

Jesus is pleading for those people as they do not know him and do not realize his love. There are people who do not know Him live in our family and around us, are we praying for them? Jesus prayed for His enemies? ‘… but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.’ Romans 5:8-10
We can see people all around us looking for love. There is no love in the family, in the society… Jesus gives us love, joy, peace and protection. Do we share this love with those around us? The Lord Jesus’ last command is, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew28:19 The Lord has a purpose to keep us in different places. Let us fulfill the purpose with the help of the Holy Spirit. Pray much for the lost souls.
PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, search our hearts. Give us a heart filled with your love so that we can forgive and forget those who are not nice with us. Help us to pray for those who do not know You and show Your love to them in Your name we pray, AMEN.

MEMORY VERSE:
ரோமர் 5:8
நாம் பாவிகளாயிருக்கையில் கிறிஸ்து நமக்காக மரித்ததினாலே, தேவன் நம்மேல் வைத்த தமது அன்பை விளங்கப்பண்ணுகிறார்.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 Shared by Sis.Sussanal Nelson, Arizona

3-25-2015