Introduction
The words of the Lord Jesus as He hung upon the cross are precious. Spikes had been hammered through His quivering flesh; the instrument of torture had been raised and allowed to fall into its receptacle with such a jolt that pain coursed through His body; He had been spat upon; His body had been lacerated with Roman whips; yet in excruciating pain, the first words that fell from His lips were those of forgiveness: “Father, forgive them.”
The Prayer of Forgiving Love, v. 34
A. The Submissiveness of His Petition
B. The Inclusiveness of His Intention
C. The Redemptiveness of His Contention
The Power of Forgiving Love
A. It is Magnetic, vv. 40-43, 47
B. It is Dynamic, vv. 43-44
The Pattern of Forgiving Love
A. There is a cross that we must bear, v. 34.
B. There is a Christ that we must share, v. 34.
Conclusion
Peter tells us, “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example,” 1 Peter 2:21. He is the Pattern of Forgiving Love. May we exemplify that power by forgiving others in love.