Luke 23:26-56
Key Verse 23:34a, "Jesus said, '"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'"

Today's passage is about Jesus' crucifixion, death and burial. Jesus was treated like a criminal and crucified by sinful men. But St. Luke reveals that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior of the world.

On the cross, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Jesus' prayer on the cross teaches us his unconditional forgiving love. Jesus' forgiving love has the power to heal our unforgiveness, hatred, bitterness and revenge. Jesus' forgiving love has the power to change any sinner. One criminal dying next to Jesus was changed by Jesus' forgiving love. Through this passage, may God bless all our suffering missionaries, foreign delegates, and each of us to accept Jesus' forgiving love and be healed.

First, "do not weep for me; weep for yourselves" (26-31).

Jesus was tried by the Jewish Sanhedrin and found guilty of blasphemy, for claiming to be the Son of God. Jesus was then tried before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Though Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, he gave in to the demands of Jesus' enemies and sentenced Jesus to be crucified. Then the soldiers took charge of Jesus. They flogged him until Jesus' blood flowed down his back. They put the heavy cross on Jesus. Jesus fell again and again under the weight of the cross. Jesus' path was smeared with blood, sweat, and tears. Due to bleeding and dehydration, Jesus had no more strength to carry his cross. So they seized a strong-looking bystander, Simon from Cyrene, Africa, and forced him to carry Jesus' cross. Simon was on his way in from the country to celebrate the Passover. At that moment, Simon must've grumbled, "Why me? What bad luck!" But later, when he learned who Jesus is, he could thank God for the privilege of helping the Son of God to carry his cross. Later, Simon and his family became devout Christians.

A large number of people followed Jesus including women who mourned and wailed for him. These women had been touched by the love of Jesus. When they saw their beloved Jesus crushed under the heavy cross, they mourned and wailed, "O good Jesus! Why is this happening to you?" Jesus was bleeding and exhausted, but he was mindful of these weeping women. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children." In extreme pain and anguish, Jesus heard the women's cries. Men often ignore women's cries. So, many wives complain to their husbands, "You just don't understand me!" But Jesus is our good shepherd who hears our cries. These women did not have to cry for Jesus, because Jesus was carrying the cross for their own salvation. Jesus had compassion on these weeping women, rather than being comforted by them. Jesus did not think of his own suffering, but he took care of people who would suffer in the future. Praise Jesus who is truly our Good Shepherd!

Jesus prophesied, "For the time will come when you will say, '"Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then they will say to the mountains, '"Fall on us!'' and to the hills, '"Cover us!' For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" Pregnant women and nursing mothers are symbols of human happiness. However, at the time of God's judgment, it would be better not to have children, for their suffering would so severe that they would ask mountains to fall on them to escape God's judgment. When we look at the cross of Jesus, we should not weep for Jesus saying, "Oh, poor suffering Jesus." Jesus does not want our human sympathy. Rather, Jesus wants us all to repent of our sins and receive God's mercy.

Second, Jesus gives forgiveness of sins from the cross (32-34).

Two other men, both criminals, were led out with Jesus to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him. They drove nails into Jesus' hands and feet. Jesus' blood gushed from his wounds. They lifted up his cross into the sky for all onlookers to see. Jesus was crucified between two criminals to make him look more shameful and guilty. We all like to be treated with honor and respect. Not only that, we want our children to be honor students. No one wants to be treated shamefully, like a criminal. Why did innocent Jesus suffer this shame and guilt? It was to bear our shame and guilt upon himself. Isaiah 53:5 prophesied, "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Jesus was pierced for our sins of lust, selfishness, and pride. Jesus was crushed for our unbelief, disobedience and rebellion.

Through Jesus' suffering, we see the seriousness of sin. These days people enjoy sin as if drinking coffee, even though I don't like coffee. People regard sin too lightly. They try to ignore sin only to suffer from guilt, shame and a sense of punishment throughout their lives. Finally, they must die, for the wages of sin is death. After death, they must be punished in the fiery lake of burning sulfur eternally. The holy God does not take sin lightly. God must punish sinners. But instead, God punished Jesus on the cross in our places to bring healing to our souls. 1 Peter 2:24 says, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." People cry endlessly because of many hidden wounds. However, when we come to Jesus who was punished in our places, we can be healed and live new and beautiful lives.

Look at verse 34a. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." In excruciating pain, sorrow and injustice, Jesus still called God, "Father." Jesus still believed absolutely in God's love. On the cross, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them." Jesus did not curse them. In divine love and mercy, Jesus prayed for sinners to be forgiven. We think we need many things. But what we need the most is the forgiveness of sin. All people suffer under a sense of punishment and guilt. Some even commit suicide because of shame and self-condemnation. But Jesus on the cross gives us the forgiveness of sins. God paid off the high debt for our sins through his Son's holy blood. So John the Baptist cried out, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." They did not know that they were crucifying the holy Son of God. They did not know that the Son of God was dying in their places. Jesus saw their ignorance and forgave them. All people have committed sins in ignorance. Some boldly commit sins and mock God. Some blindly seek small benefits or pleasures. Some hate those who hurt them. Some live in cynicism. Some live in fear and compromise. In the ignorance of sin, we all contributed to Jesus' death.

I was a promising, moral Catholic boy, who excelled in sports and academics. When I was 18, my father died suddenly by a heart attack. Sorrow, despair and meaninglessness overshadowed my life and plunged me into pleasure-seeking. Shortly after entering Northwestern University, a man asked me in broken English, "Ah, would you like to study Bible?" Through Bible study, I realized more deeply my sins of lust, pride, self-glory seeking and self-righteousness. At my 1st Easter Bible conference, I found the living hope in Jesus Christ. My despair and fear of death were healed. Later, God blessed me to establish a mission family with the most beautiful, sacrificial woman of God, Dr.Maria. God raised me as a full time shepherd and Bible teacher at Northwestern. I praise Jesus who forgave my ignorant sins from the cross.

For all people, a most serious problem is unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is the root cause of broken relationships. Unforgiveness produces hatred, bitterness and revenge and fills this world with bloody war. Fallen man has no power to forgive others. Rather, fallen man wants to take revenge two-fold. For example, if someone knocks out one of our teeth, we want to break all their teeth. However, when we receive the forgiving love of Jesus from the cross, can we forgive and love others, even our enemies.

There is a woman missionary whose father indulged secretly in an extra-marital affair. She could not forgive her father. Her unforgiveness grew into hatred and revenge. Many times, in her dream, she killed her father, stabbing him with a knife. She was tormented with nightmares until she became very sick. But one day, she heard Jesus' voice on the cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." She accepted Jesus' forgiving love on the cross. Then she could forgive her wayward father freely. She was freed from Satan's torment. She began to embrace many sheep with Jesus' unconditional forgiving love. Later, she became the most fruitful UBF shepherdess. Everyone has one person whom he or she cannot forgive. He may say, "I can forgive anyone, but THAT GUY I cannot forgive." However, Jesus' forgiving love empowers us to forgive even THAT GUY.

There is a story called Ben Hur. Ben Hur could not forgive his friend, Messala, for betraying his friendship and treating him and his family as criminals. He burned with hatred and finally crushed Messala in a deadly chariot race. But his hatred remained. Finally, one day, he saw Jesus carrying the cross. He saw Jesus crucified. He heard Jesus pray, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know
what they are doing." With these words, Jesus took the sword of hatred out of his heart. When the author of this story surveyed the cross of Jesus, he was changed by Jesus' forgiving love. So many people have been healed and changed by Jesus' forgiving love. When St. Stephen was martyred by stoning, he did not look at his enemies' angry faces. He looked up to heaven and saw Jesus. By the grace of Jesus and his forgiving love, Stephen prayed, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." He died with Jesus' forgiving love in his heart. Praise Jesus for his forgiving love!

Third, on the cross Jesus gives the promise of paradise (35-43).

While he hung on the cross, Jesus was mocked. The rulers sneered at him, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." The soldiers also mocked him, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." Even one of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him, "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" Mockery makes us clench our teeth and fists and causes our blood pressure to rise. To the mockers, Jesus looked weak and helpless, like a loser. Fallen man is always quick and smart to find a way to save himself. Jesus had the power to save himself. But he did not use it. Praise Jesus our Savior who did not save himself in order to save us from our sins!

One criminal hurled insults at Jesus. But the other criminal rebuked him, "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." This criminal did not justify his sinful life; he knew he deserved to be punished for his crimes. Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Humanly, he was a terrible criminal, who had enjoyed sinful pleasures his whole life. But one minute before his death, he asked for Jesus' mercy. Then how could he be changed? He could be changed when he heard Jesus' prayer, "Father, forgive them." He learned that Jesus is the God of mercy and the King of heaven. He called out for Jesus' help saying, "Jesus, remember me." Jesus was suffering at the point of death. Still, Jesus heard his cry.

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." This criminal was indeed a lucky guy. He was Jesus' last sheep. But he was the first one to enter paradise with Jesus. Even as he was dying, Jesus saved one more soul. Jesus accepted his last minute repentance as his act of faith. In the world, he was a condemned criminal. But by Jesus' grace, he was promised a place with Jesus in paradise. Praise Jesus who gives the promise of paradise to all who cry out to him for mercy!

Fourth, Jesus' death opened the way to God (44-49).

It was now about the sixth hour and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. This curtain separated sinners from the holy God. Through Jesus' holy blood, we can come to God and enjoy fellowship with him any time.

At the moment of death, Jesus called out with a loud voice, '"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.'" With his last breath, Jesus fully entrusted his spirit into the hands of God. Jesus did not die sadly in regret or defeat. Jesus died with a shout of victory. Jesus died completing his mission for world salvation. Jesus died with the absolute assurance of going back to his Father in heaven. We learn from Jesus to face death with the assurance of the kingdom of God.

The Roman centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, '"Surely this was a righteous man.'" When he saw Jesus die, he knew that Jesus was not a criminal but the righteous and holy Son of God. Many who witnessed Jesus' death beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew him stood at a distance, watching these things. How one sees Jesus on the cross determines one's final destiny. Some see Jesus as a loser, or an unfortunate victim. But one who sees Jesus as the righteous Son of God and Savior has the forgiveness of sins and the promise to be with him in paradise.

Joseph, a member of the Jewish council, came forward. He was a good and upright man. And he was waiting for the kingdom of God. He used his position and wealth to honor Christ. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee saw Jesus buried. Then they went home to prepare spices for Jesus' body. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. Faithful women are beautiful and precious in the sight of God.

Through this passage we see that Jesus did not die as a criminal but as the righteous Son of God and our good Shepherd. Jesus bore all our sins and shame on the cross. Jesus' forgiving love heals and changes any sinner who cries out to him. May God give you the assurance of Jesus' forgiveness of your sins and the promise to be with Jesus in paradise.