Sermon -- Good Friday: The First Word (April 15, 2022)

THE FIRST WORD — LUKE 23:26-34

 

     “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).  If you have gone to church your whole life long, Jesus’ words don’t really stir up too much of a reaction.  Jesus is in the business of mercy and forgiveness, so of course he prays that they would be pardoned for their offenses, right?

     When someone sins against you, you feel it.  It hurts.  It does not matter to you if they meant it or not.  A car accident damages the car whether it was done out of anger or out of inattentive driving.  Careless words wound whether they were meant for your ears or overheard by chance.  Because sins hurt, forgiveness does not come easily.  You may insist, “They don’t deserve my forgiveness.”  The result is long-term grudge which only festers over time.  There is nothing righteous about holding a grudge.  But if you insist, “They don’t deserve my forgiveness,” you aren’t wrong.  No one deserves forgiveness.

     Justice demands that we give what we owe.   We owe our Lord obedience.  We owe our fellow man love.  When we withhold these, we are indebted to the ones we have sinned against.  If we have not given what we owe, then justice demands retribution.  Justice does not bear a grudge; it exacts revenge.  It convicts.  It condemns.  It gives what is deserved and does not show mercy.

     But Jesus does not give you what you deserve.  Jesus prayed that the Father would not give his enemies what they deserve.  “Father, forgive them”—those who mocked him, those who beat him, those who murdered him, those who withheld truth, compassion, and justice.  “Father, forgive them”—those who do not obey the Commandments, those who have held grudges and withheld forgiveness, those who bear the name Christian but whose actions deny him.  “Father, forgive them”—not because they deserve it.  No one does.  “Father, forgive them” because the Son takes upon himself responsibility and accountability for all sins.

     Jesus is nailed to a cross to suffer for sins he did not commit, to die a death he does not deserve, and to endure hellish torment that belongs to you, to me, and to all.  It is neither justice nor revenge.  It is mercy.  It is pardon and peace.  “Father, forgive them.”  For Jesus’ sake, he does.