Jesus’s Prayer on the Cross

FATHER FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO. Luke 23:33-34.

Jesus was crucified under Roman law at the insistence of the Jewish leaders.

This was God’s timing. Jesus came when Jews were under Roman rule. Jesus needed to be sacrificed by Jews and Gentiles because He came to pay for the sins of Jews and Gentiles-becoming the universal Redeemer of Adam’s seed.

Most of the Jewish leaders did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God and were jealous of Him.

1. They envied Jesus because many crowds came to listen to His every word, watching His every move. He was popular among the people, whereas the rulers of the Jews laid heavy burdens on their people.

2. They were envious of Jesus because they saw the crowd listening to Jesus, cheering Him and loving Him, as He healed many and cast out demons.

3. The Jewish leaders were the Scribes, Pharisees and High Priests. At one time during Jesus’s ministry when He said “I and the Father are one”, they “picked up stones to stone Him accusing Him of blasphemy for claiming to be God.” John 10:30-33.

4. The Jewish leaders took Jesus to Pilot the Roman governor of Judaea and insisted that He be crucified. John 19:6.

The Roman leaders did not know what to do.

1. Pilot, the Roman governer, did not think Jesus deserved to be crucified. After the Jewish leaders said “Crucify Him, Crucify Him”, Pilot said “I find no fault in Him.” John 19:6.

2. At the insistance of the Jewish leaders, Pilot did surrender Jesus to be Crucified. John 19:16.

Why did Jesus ask the Father for their forgiveness before dying on the Cross?

1. Jesus said “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. Jesus asks the Father to forgive the Jews and Jewish leaders, and the Romans who nailed Him to the Cross.

2. Jesus’s statements about His becoming a man to die for sinfull man. Jesus refers to himself as the “Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.“ John 10:11. “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:17-18.

3. Jesus’s crucifixion fulfills the prophesies regarding God’s eternal plan for the ages to redeem sinful man. Jesus is referred to as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8.

Below is the Message Audio.

Below is the underlined link to the Notes pdf

Jesus's Prayer on the Cross.pdf