Christ's Intercessory Prayer Before He Died (Luke 23:34)

Sermon Notes

Pastor David Yan

10 April 2020

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Jesus on the cross. Prayed:

FATHER

Note Christ had no revenge in his heart. Note his intimacy with and access to the Father. Believers also. Children of God. Intimacy and access to God.

Note covenantal aspect. Father and Son covenanted in eternity to save sinners. Jesus' prayer gives insight into this covenant.

FORGIVE

Consummation of eternal covenant. Jesus has honoured his part of the covenant by his sacrificial death. Now prays the Father to honour his part — forgive Christ's adversaries.

Christ's death is sufficient. "It is finished." Nothing more to be done.

Christ' death is efficacious. It works. The Holy Spirit ensures it.

THEM

Refers to all Christ's adversaries. This is not the Bible passage to delve into matters of divine election. Suffice to observe Christ's prayer is the Father to forgive "them," namely, those who were nailing him to the cross. Christ prayed freely. The gospel offered freely.

FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY DO.

But they did know. They knew they were committing someone to death. They would later pay the price for this.

They knew what they were doing but they did not know who they were doing it to. They knew what but not who. Had they known they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

They were driven along by the devil and did not know it. Jesus speaks of this kind of ignorance. Provision for unintentional sins (Lev.4:1-12). God overlooks times of ignorance (Acts 17:30).

Jesus still intercedes—in heaven (Hebs.7:23-26). We sin continually. Jesus intercedes continually. We have a great representative who lives forever. He prayed then. He prays now. He prayed for sinners (then). He prays for saints (now).

Come to him this Good Friday and receive forgiveness of your sins through the sacrificial death of Jesus. For you—a great opportunity; a great transformation.