Introduction to the series
Some of the most memorable phrases in history have been spoken in the final moments of a man’s life. And in many cases, these famous last words are the speaker’s only claim to fame. One example would be Nathan Hale, an American spy that was hanged by the British in 1776. The only reason most of us know his name is because of his famous last words – “I am only sorry that I have but one life to live for my country”.
And, while many of us may know very little about Julius Caesar, we can recall his last words – spoken to his adopted son who had just stabbed him – “Et tu, Brute?”
Lady Astor was the first woman member of the British Parliament. She was a very witty speaker, and was known to occasionally get into verbal spats with Winston Churchill. Her humor remained with her even on her deathbed. Her last words, spoken when she momentarily awoke to find herself surrounded by family were “Am I dying or is this my birthday?”
Domonic Willard, a soldier about to be killed by a firing squad, was asked if he had any last request. His last words were “Why, yes – a bulletproof vest!”
As I began to look for famous last words, I was surprised at how many last words had been recorded. For centuries, biographers have made note of and recorded the last words of famous people. Thoughout the ages the legal system has asked for and recorded the last words of people about to be executed. And families have clung to the final words of departed loved ones for solace and hope.
Indeed, it seems the very heart of a man is revealed in his final words. Shakespeare wrote, in the Life and Death of King Richard the Second, the following:
“O, but they say the tongues of dying men enforce attention like deep harmony. Where words are scarce, they are seldom spent in vain for they breathe truth that breathe their words - in pain.”
As we move towards Easter, I want to speak to you about some Famous Last Words… They are the last words of a dying Savior – the words spoken by Jesus in the final moments of his human experience.
Jesus had a way with words. He could shut the mouths of his critics with a single sentence. “Let him that is without sin amongst you cast the first stone”. He could summarize all social law in 11 words – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” But then - Jesus was the embodied Word of God…
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us... John 1:1, 14a (NIV)
Indeed, since Jesus was the very Word of God walking amongst us – we cling to his every word. And how much more significant does that make his final words… The disciples that had followed him were listening intently for some hope and direction. His family and friends were there, hoping to glean a final token of his love. The Jewish leaders were listening for a confession of blasphemy.
And over the next few weeks – I want us to join the crowd at the foot of the cross, listening to what the most important man in history will say to us with his final, gasping breaths. I want all of us to listen closely to the Famous Last Words of a Dying Savior.
1) Father, Forgive Them
2) My God, My God, Why…?
3) Today, You Will Be With Me...
4) It is Finished
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:32-34 (NIV)
In order to understand the significance of this prayer, we must first understand what they had done that required forgiveness.
1) They had just finished torturing him (scourging, crown of thorns)
2) They had publicly humiliated him (stirring up the people at Pilate’s hall, mocking, nakedness, showcasing him as a common criminal)
Notice the nature of their transgression. This was not the sort of thing one says “Oops – I goofed” about… This was not the weakness of good men being revealed. This was the vile, hateful actions of evil men. They had been planning this horrible event for months.
Jesus’ offer of forgiveness is extended to the undeserving.
A Sunday School teacher had just concluded her lesson and wanted to make sure she had made her point. She said, "Can anyone tell me what you must do before you can obtain forgiveness of sin?" There was a short pause and then, from the back of the room, a small boy spoke up. "Sin," he said.
I’m sure that wasn’t the answer the teacher was looking for. But indeed it is the one qualifying requirement for forgiveness. And it is the one factor that puts all of mankind in the same boat. It levels the playing field in our approach to God.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23 (KJV)
Let’s get real, here… We’re talking about sin. Not benign little mistakes made by good people. We tend to put levels on it – but God doesn’t… It is simply sin. It may be painful, but think just for a moment about some of the worst sins in your past.
1) They were premeditated.
2) They hurt someone else – probably even someone close to you.
3) You could have done something else, but simply chose to do wrong.
The nature of sin doesn’t change once you become a Christian… It is still characterized by these basic elements.
I wonder how many of you are walking around right now in guilt. Afraid that there is some blight in your relationship with God that keeps you from his blessing. You’re depressed because you know you don’t deserve his blessing.
Friend – that’s what the forgiveness that Jesus offers is all about.
Jesus understands that sin always takes us farther than we want to go.
I notice that Jesus concluded this prayer with “for they know not what they do”. Now, we just said the Jews had been planning to kill Jesus for months. They knew what they were doing, on one level. But did they really know what they were doing?
You know – that’s simply the way sin is. Our human minds cannot comprehend the eternal significance of our sin. That’s why, when we’re thinking about doing something wrong, we always think that we can get away with it.
But that is also why, after it is done with, we live with guilt and regret. And we recognize, sometimes years down the road – how foolish our actions were. If we had only known how many people would be hurt. If we had only known the impact that sin would have on our psyche…
I wonder how many of those men laid awake at night in the months following, trying to deal with the guilt. They knew it was wrong before they did it, but somehow managed to justify their actions. But now they must live with the questions, the consequences. They must live with the regret.
What regrets keep you awake at night? Do you ever find yourself saying, “If I had only known…”? Welcome, friend, to the sinners’ club. Sin always ends up being worse than we thought it would be. And most of us will confess that while we thought we knew what we were doing, most of us really didn’t understand how much we were really doing… And we are sorry.
You know – that may be exactly the thing that causes us to receive his forgiveness.
Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 2 Cor 7:9-11 (NKJV)
Jesus offers us forgiveness in eternity.
It would be one thing for Jesus to look people in the eye and say, “I forgive you…” That would be meaningful, but not as meaningful as what Jesus actually did. He bowed his head in prayer, and said, “Father, forgive them...”
This is what amazes me… Jesus was not just saying, “I’m not going to hold this against you…” He was saying, “Father, when these people stand before you on judgment day, do not hold this against them…”
You see, this is what makes Jesus’ forgiveness so important. That is why Jesus’ forgiveness can save you. Your friends can forgive you. Society can forgive you. Your family can forgive you. But that is a forgiveness on earth. Jesus had that power as well…
"But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins…” Matt 9:6 (NKJV)
But at Calvary, Jesus demonstrated a love that goes much farther. Only Jesus can plead for you in eternity. And really – that is what Calvary was all about. When he prayed this prayer, Jesus was fulfilling His real purpose here on earth. It was to remove the eternal consequences of sin for us.
…because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12 (NIV)
At Calvary, Jesus fulfilled his role, and offered you eternal forgiveness. He didn’t just say, “I forgive,” but prayed “Father, forgive them…”
Friend, he is still praying that prayer for you.
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:33-34 (NIV)
Yes – I understand… What you did was sin. It was bad. It hurt people. It hurt you. It hurt God. You’re kicking yourself right now over the whole mess. But in the final moments of his life, in his last few gasping, painful breaths – Jesus spoke what was really in his heart for you… His famous last words were, “Father, forgive him…” - “Father, forgive her…”
And in giving his life he offered you freedom from your sin. Not just a temporary relief here on earth, but forgiveness in eternity.
I wonder if there is someone that wants to receive that forgiveness today? |
