OUR DAILY BREAD : FATHER, FORGIVE THEM

[cimi]

September 21
Friday


FATHER,
FORGIVE THEM

READ:
Luke 23:32-38
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Jesus said, "Father,
forgive them, for they
do not know what they
do" __Luke 23:34
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A 12-year-old boy on a school trip to a museum stuck a wad of chewing gum on a painting worth $1.5 million. The gum left a stain about the size of a quarter on Helen Frankenthaler's landmark abstract, The Bay. Officials at the Detroit Institute of Arts were unsure whether they could remove it. The boy was suspended from school. "I don't think he understood the ramifications of what he did," said a school official.

In Luke 23, Jesus prayed a powerful prayer for people who didn't understand the ramifications of what they were doing. He asked His Father to forgive those who were putting Him to death (v.34). They devalued God's Son--flogging Him, spitting on Him, ridiculing Him, and placing a crown of thorns on His head. They drove spikes through His hands and feet and pierced His side. Although they didn't understand the full scope of their actions, through the death of His Son, God offers forgiveness to all who repent and believe__even to Jesus' murderers.

Because of our sin, we all played a part in putting Jesus to death. The good news is that God is gracious. He will forgive and remove the stain of sin and give us a second chance through His Son. __Marvin Williams
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FOR FURTHER STUDY

~~~~~~~~How can we be sure we have not made ourselves ~~~~~~~
~~~~~~unforgivable in the eyes of God? Read The Forgiveness~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~Of God at www.discoveryseries.org/qu0602~~~~~~~~~~
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No one is too bad for God's forgiveness__
but it must be accepted.

***************Today's Bible Reading __ Luke 23:32-38************

32 There were also two
others, criminals, led with
Him to be put to death.

33 And when they had come
to the place called Calvary,
there they crucifed Him,
and the criminals, one on
the right hand and the other
on the left. 34 Then Jesus
said, "Father, forgive them,
for they do not know what
they do." And they divided
His garments and cast lots.

35 And the people stood
looking on. But even the
rulers with them sneered,
saying, "He saved others;
let Him save Himself if He
is the Christ, the chosen of
God."

36 The soldiers also
mocked Him, coming and
offering Him sour wine,

37 and saying, "If You are
the King of the Jews, save
Yourself."

38 And an inscription also
was written over Him in
letters of Greek, Latin, and
Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING
OF THE JEWS.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

When Jesus was crucified on the cross, many prophecies were
fulfilled. In Luke 23:32-38 alone, we see the following fulfillments:

. He was crucified (vv.32-33)__Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10.
. He died with the wicked (vv.32-33)__Isaiah 53:9,12.
. He prayed for His executioners (v.34)__Isaiah 53:12.
. His executioners cast lots for His clothes (v.34)__Psalm 22:18.
. He was stared at by people (v.35)__Psalm 22:17.
. He was mocked (vv.35-38)__Psalm 22:17.
. He was offered sour wine (v.36)__Psalm 69:21. __SKT