Thursday, August 16, 2007
My QT learning: (15 aug 2007)Luke 23:33-34
His 1st word frm e cross is "Father." As He enters into His suffering, tis word will disappear as an indication of His torment. "Forgive them," Jesus says. "They don know what dey're doing." His final lament begins with e theme of forgiveness. His enemies r stretching out His arms on e cross beam, nailing nails thru His flesh. He had told e disciples to love & forgive their enemies. Luke alone records His words tt "[God] is kind to e ungrateful & e evil" (6:35), - a most extraordinary phrase. In manifest kindness, Jesus genuinely asks e Father to forgive, to absolve, e Roman legionnaires who r executing Him. They cant possibly imagine wat they r doing, for wat dey r doing is unimaginable - aiding in e death of God. Becoming accomplices to e salvation of e world. Sacrificing e perfect Lamb of God.
Apparently, once Jesus is raised up on e high cross on which He was crucified, they turn their backs on e scene & cast lots for e seamless robe Jesus had been wearing. There were 3 "lots," which indicates tt dere were only 3 soldiers assigned to e unthinkable task. As they wipe e fresh blood of their hands & turn to their grisly game, Jesus is pleading that e Father forgive them.
Jesus' 1st word frm e cross were asking for forgiveness for those crucifying Him.
God... May i be like YOU... always praying for the unlovable, the ppl who were against us and O LORD... i wanna take pleasure in praying for them! thank YOU LORD for speaking to me today! in JESUS' name. AMEN! I've been paid for in FULL 11:20 PM