Lavender's Blue - The Lord's Prayer (from the cross)

Lavender's Blue

Apr. 23, 2008

The Lord's Prayer (from the cross)

Matthew 27:24-25 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

In these verses the Jews accept responsibility for sending an innocent man to his death. They believe so strongly in his guilt that they call down a curse on themselves and, if that weren’t enough, they add their own children to that curse.

In Luke 23:34, Jesus mercifully asks His Father to forgive these Jews knowing they are ignorant of their error.

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

I have always considered that prayer an example of how we are to forgive our enemies. I have regarded it as an object lesson for us to follow. How God answered the prayer was of no concern to me until very recently.

While reading Acts 2:14-41 I made an amazing (to me) discovery! God answered that prayer on the day of Pentecost immediately following Peter’s famous sermon. Peter is addressing the very Jews who had crucified Christ (vs. 22-23 and again in v. 36). He presents the gospel message to the same crowd who only a few short weeks before had urged Pilate to nail Jesus to the cross, who had accepted responsibility for His blood and who had passed that responsibility onto their children as well.

Acts 2:21-24 and 36 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it... (emphasis added)

...Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (emphasis added)

In verse 37 the Holy Spirit, recently sent from heaven, is busy convicting souls and drawing them to the Father.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Verse 38 is the gospel in a nutshell. The true gospel always calls for repentance - renouncing sin and turning from it. It is not enough to just be sorry for sin - one must abandon it and rest in Christ’s righteousness.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

And here is a most precious verse. Verse 39 proclaims that this promise of salvation is not just for those people standing in the crowd. No, it is also for their children. God is answering His dear Son’s prayer, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” He is absolving the guilty and, just so they know for sure, Peter assures them this forgiveness is also for the children they had so quickly and boldly dragged into their cursed state.

Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Lastly, we have the confirmation of the answer to the prayer - the Jews response:

Acts 2:40-41 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Our most merciful Father forgave the very ones who murdered His Son. Their names had been written in the Book of Life before the foundations of the world. As I type this I see much that could be expounded upon in these verses, but today I simply want to focus on the marvelous grace of God.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. Amen.

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Apr. 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by hdn9587

I am enjoying your blog! It is thought provoking and very inspirational to me. Thanks for sharing your God given wisdom and time with this 'younger woman'. (Titus 2:4)

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Random thoughts and musings of an "older woman" who has homeschooled since 1992.