Parkwood Baptist Church

“But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” – John 19:25-27

As we continue to stand at the foot of the cross and listen for the voice of Jesus, we need to be reminded who was there.  We have already mentioned that the crucifixion was near a crowded thoroughfare so there were many who saw this execution.  Most were strangers that were on their way into the  city for the Passover feast.  The majority probably hurried by while cursing the Romans for such a horrific display of cruelty.  Others recognized Jesus and took the opportunity to join the public mocking of another “would be” Messiah.

There were also those who gathered to watch the gruesome event.  The Scripture says that among these spectators there were Chief Priests and Elders who had assisted in the arrest and trial of this “trouble maker”.  Then there was a small detachment of Roman soldiers who had the duty of carrying out the death sentence and keeping watch over the dying prisoners.

It seemed that Jesus was mostly surrounded by strangers or enemies.  Even the other men being crucified seemed hostile toward our suffering Savior.  However, today’s Scripture tells us that there was a small group of friends and relatives that had gathered a short distance from the cross.  This small group numbered about half a dozen and was made up of a few of the women and a disciple that had been part of Jesus’ group of friends.  Several of the women are named and one is Mary His mother.  The disciple Jesus loved or “beloved disciple”, which was a reference to the author of this Gospel, John.  These are the ones watching closely and wondering…hoping…What would happen?    Would Jesus do some amazing miracle like they had seen Him do before?  Will there be some sign?  “Hold on…shhhh…I think He’s trying to say something…listen!”

The first thing they hear is an intercessory prayer, “Father, forgive them”, but then they realize that He is looking in their direction.  “Look, I think He sees us”, says one of them, “Yes, He is looking right at us!”  Mary looks up and her eyes connect with the eyes of her oldest son.  Suddenly the noise of the crowd fades and Jesus speaks to His mother,

“Woman, behold, your son!”

As Jesus says these words His eyes turn slightly to John who is standing  next to Mary.  John has been her son’s best friend and like a son to her.  He is the only disciple that is there and Jesus speaks again, but to him,

“Behold, your mother!”

Amidst His suffering He is looking around at those who are there.  There are several things that this word from Jesus reveals to us about God which we will look at over the next few days, but the first thing to notice is that Jesus is looking at people.  We have a God who is watching…looking…waiting to catch our eye.  Today I want you to know that Jesus is looking right at you.  See the love in His eyes?  Oh…wait…shhh…He has something to say.

“Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance?…He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot.  You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” – Micah 7:18, 19

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” – Luke 23:34

Forgive who?  Who was Jesus praying for?  Who was He thinking about?  The spiritual or “church” answer is…you and me…right?  Absolutely!  Amen!  I hope these words from the cross have reminded you that your heavenly Father has always loved you and that His forgiveness is available for the asking.  This is the wonderful Gospel…Jesus died for my sins and has forgiven me and, if I put my faith in Him, I will not perish (die) but have eternal life…whew!

The past few days we have been meditating on this wonderful…incomprehensible…incredible forgiveness and compassion of our heavenly Father.  This is certainly something to be thankful for, but there are a couple other layers when it comes to God’s forgiveness and this simple phrase from the cross.

First, Jesus was asking forgiveness for everyone.  God’s compassion and forgiveness is for all the world.  Not just you and me.  Jesus loved the Jews who mocked Him and the Romans who crucified Him.  He loved the disciples who followed Him and those who spit in His face and rejected Him.  He loves the religious and the reprobate.  He  loves the best and the worst the same…and offers the blanket of forgiveness to them all.  Wait…wait.  Everyone?  “I’m not sure I am comfortable with that.”  “Certainly there are some that will not be forgiven…some that will get what they deserve…right?”  And here is where the trouble can begin for us.  We love grace and mercy when it comes our way, but we want judgement and punishment for others.

Truth:  Jesus died on the cross for all people

This word from Jesus on the cross reveals a forgiving God that loves without discretion.  “Father, forgive them…”  “For God so loved the world…that whosoever believes…”  Genuine love and compassion does not keep score.  God’s love is not measured out according to some “sinfulness rating” and He is not interested in your opinion of who should get it or not.   There is no one that God does not love.  God loves all and “desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4).

Therefore, we need to open our heart to love everyone and, secondly, to be as indiscriminate in our practice of forgiveness.  This is the other area we struggle with…forgiving others.  The Scriptures tell us that the depth of our experience with God’s forgiveness should be evident in our forgiveness of others.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

Yes Believer, God has forgiven you!  You have been redeemed and set free.  Go, therefore this day, and love others.  Be slow to anger and quick to forgive.  May the blessings of God’s grace and mercy inspire you to share the good news of the love of Jesus with everyone you meet!

“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” – Psalm 32:1

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” – Isaiah 55:6, 7

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”                                                                      – Luke 23:34

Our God is a forgiving God!  He has always been a God of compassion who “abundantly” pardons.  He has never ceased to love us and to pursue us.  This is why it breaks His heart when we sin and suffer the consequences of our bad choices.  He watches and waits for us like the father of the prodigal son (Luke 15).  Waiting for us to come to our senses…to repent…to come home where we are loved and cared for.  His forgiveness is free, plentiful and available!

So, why are we surprised when Jesus, God incarnate, offers forgiveness to the people He loves so much?  He is not offering forgiveness as some noble gesture.  He is not showing those who were listening that He was better than an ordinary man.  Read it again.  This is a prayer of genuine compassion.  This is One who is interceding for those He loves and is asking for the Father to forgive them.  He even lets them off the hook…”they know not what they do”.   In other words, Jesus is not holding the crucifixion against them.  In fact, it doesn’t sound like He is holding anything against them.  It sounds like He is appealing to the compassion of the Father.  “Father, I know you love them…”  This is not a change in God’s attitude toward us.  Jesus isn’t trying to change the Father’s mind.  He is speaking these words out loud from the cross for our sake.  This is a revelation of who God has always been.  A God who loved the world so much that He came to show us how much He cared.

These words from Jesus on the cross reveal to us the very heart of God…a heart of compassion and forgiveness.  The death of Jesus did not bring about the forgiveness of God and it did not make God love us.  God has always offered forgiveness and God has always loved us.  What the cross did was to set us free from the consequences of our sin.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of Life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”                                                                         – Romans 8:1, 2

We have been set free from the debt of our sin in order that we might have the opportunity to experience the bounty of God’s forgiveness for us.  Jesus paid the price.  He took the “wages” of your sin upon Himself.  He was crucified instead of you.  He took your sin and all of its consequences and nailed it to the cross.  Why?

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

“Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God!” – Psalm 48:1

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.”                                                                                                                            – Psalm 19:1

Today marks the first of the Sabbath days within our Lenten devotion.  The Sabbath was given to us as an opportunity to focus on our God and Father.  It was set aside as a day to rest from our labors and acknowledge our dependence upon Him for all that we have and all that we need.  It is a day when we are reminded that it is not about us and our work but Him and His work.  Even in the Lenten season the six Sabbath days are not counted in the 40.

Even in this time of repentance and discipline we must take opportunity to pause and worship the LORD…to rest in Him.  Sometimes our religious practices can distract us from the simple power of His presence.  Take some time today to sit before your God and breathe.  Deep breaths that calm your Spirit before the Father.

The Book of Psalms is a great place to read as you center your thoughts on the Lord today.  In the verses above we are reminded that God is great and He is over all things.  Psalm 139 tells us that God created us and that He knows everything about us!  Psalm 32 tells of the joy and peace that comes from forgiveness.  Psalm 23 tells of a loving Shepherd who leads us…feeds us and protects us.

Today I leave you with this directive from the Apostle Paul;

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say Rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.  The Lord is at hand.  Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, Brothers and Sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” – Philippians 4:4-8

“And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on His right and one on His left. And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide His garments.  And the people stood by watching, but the rulers scoffed at Him saying, ‘He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He is the Christ of God, His Chosen One!’  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up and offering Him sour wine and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!'” – Luke 23:32-37

There was a lot of noise around the cross that afternoon.  The roadside outside of  Jerusalem was crowded with people who had come from all over for the annual celebration of the Passover.  Like a shopping Mall on the day before Christmas, people were making their way into the marketplaces to get their final preparations for the feast.  Yes, it is true, Jesus was crucified along a busy road into the city, not on a lonely hillside far away (though it makes for beautiful poetry).  The public display and humiliation was an important part of crucifixion to the Romans.

Crowded places tend to be loud and chaotic.  It is no wonder that the voice of Jesus seems to be ignored.  In fact, we are told in the Scripture that there were many others talking…even shouting…the spectators, the soldiers, those passing by, even the other criminals.  The cross was anything but peaceful…but…then Jesus speaks.

He does not wait for the crowd to calm down.  He does not call loudly to get the attention of the those on the roadside.  He speaks into the chaos to those who will listen.  Amidst the scoffing and the mocking…He speaks…into our busy, distracted, “self absorbed” world…He speaks.

He deliberately speaks…He prays…out loud.  Why?  The Scripture tells us that He did this throughout His ministry.  In fact, in the Gospel of John, Jesus Himself sheds some light on this when He prayed for Lazarus to be raised from the dead.  He prayed,

“Father, thank you for hearing me.  I know that you have always heard me, but I say this out loud on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” – John 11:41, 42

So, Jesus does this again from the cross.  He prays, not for Himself, but for others.  It is a prayer of intercession.  A prayer for those too busy to pray.  A prayer for those who did not even know that they needed prayer.  A prayer that reveals His heart for those He came to save.  A prayer that proclaims the very purpose of the cross and what He was doing at that moment!

Believer, you have a God who speaks into the chaos of your world today.  Into your busy schedule…into your frustrations…into your despair.  He is not waiting for a quiet moment in your life.  He is not waiting for things to calm down.  He is speaking a word into your crowded and broken heart…”Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).  Weary traveler you have been forgiven.  Look to the cross today.  Jesus is speaking.  Are you listening?

“Two others that were criminals were led away to be put to death with Him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on His right and one on His left. And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.'” – Luke 23:32-34

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…”                                                                                                – Philippians 2:3-5

It had been quite a week for Jesus.  He had entered Jerusalem to the cheers of people that saw Him as a Messiah, but by Thursday night they had all but abandoned Him.  He had been betrayed by one of His inner circle, denied by a close friend, rushed through a sham of a  trial…mocked…beaten…now, crucified.

The Scripture tells us that once He was nailed to the cross He was lifted up and the wait for death began.  The pain was severe but rather than screams of anguish, Jesus speaks a brief prayer.  A prayer?  It seems a little odd for someone to pray.  Yet, maybe that would make sense to hear a dying man cry out to God if he cried out for help, “God, get me out of this!”  “God, take this pain away!”  It also would not be out of the ordinary to hear a prayer of condemnation upon the ones responsible for inflicting this cruel punishment upon you, “God, curse these inhuman Romans!”  “O God, give them what they deserve!”  We actually might even hear a prayer of confession and repentance, “O God, I messed up.   Forgive me!”

Yes, any of these prayers might be heard at the foot of a cross, but…the prayer of Jesus was not any of these.  It was not that He prayed which was unusual.  It was What He prayed…”Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Are you surprised?  Do these words shock you?  Or, have you heard them so many times that you have grown numb to the absurdity of such a prayer?   We are told that most of the people around the cross did not even hear it, and if they did, it made no impact.  The soldiers at the foot of the cross continued to gamble for His few possessions…the people watching continued mocking Him as they went on their way.  Even the criminals crucified with Him seemed oblivious to this incredible word from the Savior.

However, there must have been an eerie silence in that upper room when John shared this with the disciples.  “He said what?”  “He asked the Father to forgive them?”  Once again, Jesus turns the disciple’s world upside down.  Like His parables, there is an unexpected act or attitude that reveals a God who loves beyond your wildest imagination!  A God who is not what you expect but exactly what you need.

Today, as we begin to meditate on this first word from the cross, ask yourself…”What does this prayer reveal to me about the heart of God?”

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18

I can only imagine what the disciples were asking themselves after the crucifixion, “Why?” “What is Jesus thinking letting Himself get arrested and crucified?”  “How is this part of the plan?”  “This does not make sense!”  “What was He thinking?”

And then, John and a few of the ladies that were there spoke up, “He did speak from the cross.  Just a few words…but He did speak.”  The room goes silent and the disciples lean forward “Tell us!  What did He say?”

Last words have always been important to us as a people. We will end long debates with a final summary. A trial will end with closing arguments. Even an execution will be preceded by the question, “Any last words?”  It calls us to think about how we want to be remembered before things end.  If you had one opportunity to address your family or anyone before leaving this life…what would you say?

As Jesus hung on the cross, He knew that He was only hours away from death.  A crucifixion was a cruel form of execution developed by the Romans as a deterrent to any kind of resistance to the Empire.  It was a public humiliation that was done along the side of the road and was also a physical nightmare of pain and suffering.  The person being crucified was slowly bleeding to death and also struggling to breathe.  In fact, many would die of suffocation after hours of struggling.

This makes it even more amazing that Jesus would use what little opportunity He had to catch His breath and speak out loud.  Why?  Why would He take the energy to do this?  He had spent three years teaching and preaching…what is left to say?

It seems to me that this must have been extremely important to Jesus.  The amount of strength required to speak and be heard was a feat seldom seen or heard from a Roman cross.  What was it that was so pressing on the heart of Jesus that He felt we needed to hear?

Most of the trial Jesus speaks very little.  He offers no resistance or defense to His accusers.  Scripture tells us that this is a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy,

“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep before its shearers is silent…” – Isaiah 53:7

So, when He does speak, it is something worth listening to and especially the few words from the cross as He gives His life for us.  What seemed like foolishness to the world and maybe to the disciples at the time was the power of God at work for our salvation!  These words reveal to us a little bit of what Jesus was thinking when He was fulfilling the greatest act of love ever witnessed.

“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

Today, imagine yourself at the foot of the cross as Jesus dies in your place.  What is He thinking?  What are you thinking?  Wait…listen…I think He’s trying to say something…

“And  God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us” – Romans 5:8

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever would believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

The Lenten season is one of reflection. It is the 40 days and 6 Sabbaths leading us to the Easter celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  We, as believers, are challenged to take this time to meditate on the sacrifice that Jesus made for us when He went to the cross and died for our sins.

Today is Ash  Wednesday which is the beginning of this time focused on repentance and gratitude for the forgiveness that is ours through this wonderful work of God.  The ashes traditionally remind us of our humanity and that we are created from the dust of the earth by God.  In the Scripture, sackcloth and ashes are seen as a sign of humility and a plea for mercy.

Many choose to “fast” during this observance of our Lord’s suffering.  This usually involves the subtraction or addition of something in one’s daily routine.  This then serves as a daily reminder of the sacrifice and love of Jesus.  This is a great way to enhance your preparation and ultimate celebration of the resurrection of our Savior.

It is my prayer that this daily devotion will be something that will bless you and turn your heart toward Jesus each day.  We will be looking at the last words of Jesus from the cross.  Words that He spoke as He was giving His life for us.  There were seven things uttered that were recorded in the Scripture and we will look at each phrase and reflect on what they reveal to us about Jesus and…how they may challenge us to walk closer as His disciples.

Take time today to prayerfully think about what you will do during this time of Lent.  I hope that this devotion will be part of that plan, but I also challenge you to think of some other things (like fasting from something or adding a spiritual discipline) that might change your daily routine just enough to remind you regularly of the great sacrificial love Jesus showed us by going to the cross.

As you begin I will ask you to find time today to read Isaiah 53:1-12 and Philippians 2:1-11.  These passages help us begin to understand the heart of God behind that led Jesus to the cross for us.  Let us be thankful today for the mercy and grace that is ours.

“The Diamond Setting”

There are two parts to buying a diamond.  The first step is picking out the diamond.  This is the most important step because the quality, size, and cut of the diamond determines the worth of the entire piece of jewelry.  So, the value of the ring, bracelet, or necklace that you are purchasing comes from the diamond itself.

The second step is choosing a setting which the precious gem will be displayed, i.e. the ring.  This has a value of its’ own, but its purpose is to highlight the diamond.  It magnifies the beauty of the diamond.  It lifts and accents the characteristics of the stone so that everyone who sees it can appreciate it.

This is much like the land of Israel.  It is the setting  for the “diamond” of the Gospel of Jesus and the biblical history leading up to it.  From the green hills surrounding the Sea of Galilee, to the Judean mountains of Qumran, its’ beauty is captivating.  When one gets the opportunity to visit this land where Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and others lived, it changes the way you read the Bible.  Seeing the physical landscape of Galilee or walking the stone streets of the old city of Jerusalem adds living color and depth to the stories of Scripture.  It is easy to see how people become enchanted by the “land where Jesus walked”.  But we must be reminded that the “land” of Israel, however beautiful and majestic, is still just the setting for the priceless jewel of the Gospel.

On my recent trip to the Holy Land, I was profoundly impacted by the places that I visited.  I can honestly say that seeing the land has added to my understanding of the Scripture.  But despite the wondrous landscapes, the value of a trip to Israel is recognizing that this is just the “setting” for the story of God’s loving pursuit of His people…and that includes you and me.

Over the next few weeks I wanted to share with you some of the things that were meaningful for me.  My goal is to remind you that the places and people we read about in the Scriptures are real.  And, it is my prayer that some of these things will challenge you to get into God’s Word with a renewed passion and a deeper conviction.

Blessings!

“The Santa Clause”
“Santa Claus is Coming to Town”                                       “Elf”

Santa is a staple in most Christmas movies.  He is usually the hero of the story but has trouble convincing people that he is real.   Most of the time he wears a red suit and, in the movies, rides a sleigh with reindeer.  There are, however, certain things that we can always count on in our theaters when it comes to Mr. Claus.  One thing that is consistently present is…LISTS.

Santa receives lists, keeps lists, reads lists, checks lists…he even checks them TWICE!  Yes, our white bearded bringer of Christmas joy loves lists!  However, I’m not sure the big man’s “list” obsession is a good thing for our Christmas celebration.  For example, throughout the year he receives lists from millions of children (and adults) letting him know their heart’s desires.  Some are short and some are long.  But, most are just the things we think we need to be happy.  This can lead us to treat God like a big Santa Claus who is in heaven for the purpose of fulfilling our requests.  So our prayers are simply lists of wants and needs.  This is not the purpose of prayer.

It is true that the Scriptures tell us that God is a generous Father who does not withhold anything from us that we need.  But…God is not our supernatural vending machine.  He is not what we know as Santa Claus.  He does provide our needs and we are certainly instructed to bring all our requests to God, but only according to God’s will and only for His glory.  The purpose of prayer is to bring our hearts into harmony with God’s heart for us and His people.

Another difference between the Lord of Christmas and our sleigh rider…Santa KEEPS lists.  Two to be specific; those who are naughty and those who are nice.  The Bible tells us that God does not keep lists and that we can be thankful that He doesn’t.

“If you, O LORD, were to keep lists of our iniquities, O LORD, who could stand?  But with you there is forgiveness…” (Psalm 130:3)

Yes, it doesn’t take a lot of mental energy to figure out that there would be only one list if God kept lists …”naughty”.  The Scripture says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  It also says that we can’t get off that list on our own.  This is where the real Christmas supercedes the best Hollywood has to offer!  The first Christmas revealed the God who came to remove our names from that list by providing the forgiveness through His Son Jesus.

What about all of those sins?  What about our dirty laundry?  What about the list?

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love to those who fear Him, as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:10-12)

The true message of Christmas is that God doesn’t keep a list.  You are forgiven.  Merry Christmas!