WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.120 So we're going to read from Luke chapter 23 starting at verse 26 down to verse 34. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.179 Luke 23 starting at verse 26. 00:00:35.500 --> 00:00:44.079 As the soldiers led Jesus away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, 00:00:45.079 --> 00:00:50.640 and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 00:00:52.579 --> 00:00:57.679 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 00:00:57.679 --> 00:01:01.460 Jesus turned and said to them, 00:01:02.539 --> 00:01:06.599 Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me. 00:01:07.900 --> 00:01:10.219 Weep for yourselves and for your children. 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:13.579 For the time will come when you will say, 00:01:14.539 --> 00:01:21.200 Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed. 00:01:21.200 --> 00:01:29.420 Then they will say to the mountains, Fall on us, and to the hills, cover us. 00:01:29.420 --> 00:01:38.340 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry? 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:44.439 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 00:01:45.540 --> 00:01:51.480 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there along with the criminals, 00:01:52.320 --> 00:01:55.620 one on his right, the other on his left. 00:01:55.620 --> 00:02:03.859 Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. 00:02:04.900 --> 00:02:08.219 And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 00:02:10.340 --> 00:02:11.960 I'm going to ask Martin to come up. 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:17.280 Martin is a good friend, personal friend, and a friend to many of us here. 00:02:17.980 --> 00:02:20.819 So we welcome you. It's good to have Alwyn as well today. 00:02:20.819 --> 00:02:23.819 So, over to you, Mr. Kingman. 00:02:28.959 --> 00:02:33.319 You might like to keep that passage open in front of you this morning as we look at this together. 00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:36.859 It's good to be back with you again and a joy to be with you. 00:02:37.359 --> 00:02:42.439 But more than that, a privilege to open up God's Word and to share it with you this morning. 00:02:42.439 --> 00:02:49.560 People have long been fascinated with the last words of the rich and famous. 00:02:50.500 --> 00:02:55.060 Apparently, Elvis Presley's last words to the audience at his very final concert were, 00:02:55.620 --> 00:02:57.659 I hope I haven't bored you. 00:02:58.860 --> 00:03:01.740 Reflecting on his life's work, Leonardo da Vinci said, 00:03:01.740 --> 00:03:10.340 I have offended both God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have. 00:03:11.580 --> 00:03:16.640 It's hard to believe, isn't it, that those whose abilities were recognised by so many 00:03:16.640 --> 00:03:22.860 could be left at the end of their lives feeling as though they had achieved so little. 00:03:22.860 --> 00:03:28.900 Well, the Gospels contain some of the last words of the Lord Jesus. 00:03:29.920 --> 00:03:36.360 But rather than being filled with remorse and regret and uncertainty, 00:03:37.420 --> 00:03:47.540 we find many of the last words of Jesus are filled with confidence, with purpose and with certainty. 00:03:47.539 --> 00:03:55.659 Now, there are seven of these moments on the cross and the passage that we read this morning contains the first of these. 00:03:56.180 --> 00:03:58.879 It's a prayer and you'll find it in verse 34. 00:03:59.859 --> 00:04:00.739 Jesus says, 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:08.719 Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. 00:04:10.299 --> 00:04:15.739 A plot to kill Jesus has been forming for some time. 00:04:15.740 --> 00:04:21.960 The Jewish religious leaders can't get rid of Jesus quickly enough. 00:04:23.500 --> 00:04:29.280 Jesus has been put on trial, falsely accused and condemned to death, 00:04:29.720 --> 00:04:33.139 even though he is not guilty of any crime. 00:04:34.620 --> 00:04:40.379 But here is Jesus, and rather than longing for his own vindication, 00:04:40.379 --> 00:04:48.439 he is praying for the people responsible for his death. 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:58.620 Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. 00:04:58.620 --> 00:05:06.139 What we witness here is, first of all, the fulfilment of prophecy. 00:05:07.759 --> 00:05:13.379 Much of the life of the Lord Jesus had been foretold and foreshadowed in the Old Testament. 00:05:14.379 --> 00:05:18.480 The prophets had spoken of the place and manner of his birth, 00:05:18.579 --> 00:05:24.860 but even more so, the Old Testament had spoken graphically about the nature of his death. 00:05:24.860 --> 00:05:31.280 We sang earlier that song, Man of Sorrows, pointing us to Isaiah 53, 00:05:32.280 --> 00:05:37.720 where we read of one who was despised and rejected by man. 00:05:38.860 --> 00:05:44.480 One who took up our pain and bore our suffering. 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:51.900 One who was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities. 00:05:52.520 --> 00:05:57.720 One who, we're told, was cut off from the land of the living. 00:05:59.420 --> 00:06:02.379 And at the very end of that chapter, Isaiah writes, 00:06:02.840 --> 00:06:05.700 he poured out his life unto death 00:06:05.700 --> 00:06:10.680 and was numbered with the transgressors. 00:06:10.680 --> 00:06:14.840 Now maybe at some point in your life, 00:06:15.280 --> 00:06:19.139 you have been numbered with the transgressors. 00:06:19.879 --> 00:06:23.500 A couple of your classmates have got up to mischief in the classroom. 00:06:23.960 --> 00:06:26.720 The teacher arrives back and wants to know what has gone on. 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:28.899 Of course your friends don't un-up. 00:06:29.360 --> 00:06:30.180 And what happens? 00:06:30.740 --> 00:06:33.240 Well, the whole class get into trouble. 00:06:33.240 --> 00:06:37.040 You're treated as though you have done something wrong, 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:41.060 even though you have done nothing wrong. 00:06:41.860 --> 00:06:44.960 That's what Isaiah is saying here about Jesus. 00:06:45.540 --> 00:06:48.439 He is numbered with the transgressors. 00:06:49.079 --> 00:06:51.680 Even though he has done nothing wrong, 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:55.420 he's treated as though he were a criminal. 00:06:55.420 --> 00:06:58.060 He's completely innocent. 00:06:59.060 --> 00:07:02.740 And he's treated as though he were guilty. 00:07:04.060 --> 00:07:06.740 Here's how Luke recorded in the passage that we read. 00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:09.060 Two other men, both criminals, 00:07:09.200 --> 00:07:11.960 were also led out with him to be executed. 00:07:12.460 --> 00:07:14.400 And when they came to the place called the skull, 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:18.620 they crucified him there along with the criminals. 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:21.860 One on his right and one on his left. 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:27.560 You see, Jesus was numbered with the transgressors. 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:32.220 Now, as the Gospels recount the trials of Jesus, 00:07:32.780 --> 00:07:35.879 it's pointed out over and over and over again 00:07:35.879 --> 00:07:40.520 that Jesus was innocent of any crimes. 00:07:41.819 --> 00:07:44.139 You ever Pilate's wife pleading with him? 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:49.699 Don't have anything to do with that innocent man. 00:07:49.699 --> 00:07:53.920 Pilate tells Jesus' accusers, 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:58.719 you brought this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. 00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:01.219 I have examined him in your presence 00:08:01.219 --> 00:08:05.980 and have found no basis for the charges against him 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:07.699 and neither has Herod's. 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:12.480 Pilate finally washes his hands in front of the crowd 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:15.019 who continue to call for his crucifixion 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:18.539 and declares, I am innocent of this man's blood. 00:08:18.540 --> 00:08:18.660 Pilate. 00:08:21.360 --> 00:08:23.460 Yet here Jesus is, 00:08:24.460 --> 00:08:28.740 numbered with the transgressors. 00:08:29.960 --> 00:08:32.399 Now, anyone should be able to see 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:35.960 that this is the greatest injustice. 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:40.560 And yet it is the very reason 00:08:40.560 --> 00:08:43.080 that Jesus had come into the world. 00:08:43.080 --> 00:08:46.280 to die in the place of sinners, 00:08:47.100 --> 00:08:50.360 to take the judgment that we deserved upon himself, 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:52.879 to die in our place, 00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:55.259 to be numbered 00:08:55.259 --> 00:08:58.400 with the transgressors. 00:08:58.399 --> 00:09:03.360 But if all that we can see 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:06.819 is the injustice of the crucifixion, 00:09:07.819 --> 00:09:09.559 we have yet to understand 00:09:09.559 --> 00:09:11.699 the good news of the Christian message. 00:09:12.699 --> 00:09:14.740 Because the good news is 00:09:14.740 --> 00:09:17.840 this very injustice. 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:22.320 Jesus was numbered with the transgressors. 00:09:22.320 --> 00:09:24.340 Jesus took the place of sinners 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:27.519 so that you and I 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:29.259 could be forgiven 00:09:29.259 --> 00:09:31.280 for our sins. 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:37.340 But Jesus is not only numbered with the transgressors. 00:09:37.340 --> 00:09:40.480 We see him interceding 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:42.800 for the transgressors. 00:09:43.720 --> 00:09:45.399 The prophet Isaiah continues, 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:47.639 for he bore the sin of many 00:09:47.639 --> 00:09:50.000 and made intercession 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:52.899 for the transgressors. 00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:55.680 Now, to intercede is to 00:09:55.680 --> 00:09:56.840 go between, 00:09:57.000 --> 00:09:58.740 to plead on another's behalf 00:09:58.740 --> 00:10:00.740 as a lawyer would argue 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:03.060 his client's case before a judge. 00:10:03.059 --> 00:10:06.199 And isn't that exactly 00:10:06.199 --> 00:10:08.139 what Jesus is doing on the cross 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:09.299 as he prays, 00:10:10.359 --> 00:10:10.939 Father, 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:13.119 forgive them 00:10:13.119 --> 00:10:15.739 for they do not know 00:10:15.739 --> 00:10:17.519 what they are doing. 00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:20.639 He is interceding 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:24.179 for the transgressors. 00:10:25.719 --> 00:10:27.339 In fact, Jesus' death 00:10:27.339 --> 00:10:29.019 is the very foundation 00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:31.059 on which this request 00:10:31.059 --> 00:10:32.139 can even be made. 00:10:33.059 --> 00:10:35.079 Jesus can make this request 00:10:35.079 --> 00:10:36.559 because he is dying 00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:37.759 in the place of sinners. 00:10:38.859 --> 00:10:40.379 He's not asking God 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:41.739 to ignore their sin. 00:10:42.819 --> 00:10:44.059 He's not asking God 00:10:44.059 --> 00:10:45.119 to turn his back 00:10:45.119 --> 00:10:46.419 on this injustice. 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:48.559 He's not asking God 00:10:48.559 --> 00:10:49.419 to pretend 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:50.919 that this never happened. 00:10:52.779 --> 00:10:55.079 No, Jesus is interceding 00:10:55.079 --> 00:10:56.639 for the transgressors. 00:10:57.359 --> 00:10:58.639 He is pleading 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:00.199 for the forgiveness 00:11:00.199 --> 00:11:01.639 of sinners. 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:01.840 sinners. 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:04.879 And he can make 00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:05.980 such a request 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:06.919 because he is 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:09.580 taking their place. 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:11.879 He's taking the judgment 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:13.360 that they deserve. 00:11:14.659 --> 00:11:16.199 He's taking the judgment 00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:17.460 that you 00:11:17.460 --> 00:11:18.779 and I 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:19.740 deserve. 00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:22.419 Now it's only 00:11:22.419 --> 00:11:24.100 when we grasp that 00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:26.120 that we understand 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:27.639 the Christian message. 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:30.000 The apostle Paul 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:31.180 would describe Jesus 00:11:31.180 --> 00:11:33.080 as the son of God 00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:34.500 who loved me 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:36.460 and gave himself 00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:37.800 for me. 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:40.000 The apostle Paul 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:40.600 had come to understand 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:42.200 that the death 00:11:42.200 --> 00:11:42.740 of Jesus 00:11:42.740 --> 00:11:43.920 on the cross 00:11:43.920 --> 00:11:46.279 is the very death 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:47.740 that he deserved. 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:50.259 He was the one 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:51.100 who should be 00:11:51.100 --> 00:11:52.060 abandoned 00:11:52.060 --> 00:11:53.039 by God 00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:54.120 and rejected. 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:56.039 Not Jesus. 00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:59.700 But the son of God 00:11:59.700 --> 00:12:00.899 loved him 00:12:00.899 --> 00:12:03.240 and gave himself 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.539 for him. 00:12:06.120 --> 00:12:07.539 Jesus is numbered 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:09.180 with the transgressors 00:12:09.179 --> 00:12:11.079 and he makes 00:12:11.079 --> 00:12:12.000 intercession 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:14.339 for the transgressors. 00:12:15.919 --> 00:12:16.679 You see 00:12:16.679 --> 00:12:17.219 these words 00:12:17.219 --> 00:12:17.799 of Jesus 00:12:17.799 --> 00:12:18.759 on the cross 00:12:18.759 --> 00:12:19.739 hold out 00:12:19.739 --> 00:12:20.779 the possibility 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:22.439 of forgiveness. 00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:24.959 Now perhaps 00:12:24.959 --> 00:12:25.879 you have messed up 00:12:25.879 --> 00:12:26.839 so badly 00:12:26.839 --> 00:12:27.959 that you've 00:12:27.959 --> 00:12:28.559 asked yourself 00:12:28.559 --> 00:12:29.559 this question 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:31.519 how could 00:12:31.519 --> 00:12:32.120 God 00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:33.179 possibly 00:12:33.179 --> 00:12:34.419 forgive 00:12:34.419 --> 00:12:35.299 this? 00:12:35.299 --> 00:12:38.179 Maybe it's 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:38.699 because of 00:12:38.699 --> 00:12:39.359 the gravity 00:12:39.359 --> 00:12:40.059 of the sin 00:12:40.059 --> 00:12:40.439 that you've 00:12:40.439 --> 00:12:40.719 committed. 00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:42.319 It is too 00:12:42.319 --> 00:12:42.899 big 00:12:42.899 --> 00:12:44.319 for God 00:12:44.319 --> 00:12:44.939 to forgive. 00:12:46.699 --> 00:12:47.139 Perhaps 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:47.620 it's because 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:48.599 of the frequency 00:12:48.599 --> 00:12:50.099 of your sins 00:12:50.099 --> 00:12:50.579 that you have 00:12:50.579 --> 00:12:50.879 committed. 00:12:52.479 --> 00:12:53.259 There are 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:53.679 simply 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:54.939 too many 00:12:54.939 --> 00:12:56.359 for God 00:12:56.359 --> 00:12:57.000 to forgive. 00:12:58.799 --> 00:12:59.740 But these 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:00.779 gracious words 00:13:00.779 --> 00:13:01.359 of Jesus 00:13:01.359 --> 00:13:02.379 on the cross 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.579 surely 00:13:03.579 --> 00:13:04.359 point to 00:13:04.359 --> 00:13:05.279 the possibility 00:13:05.279 --> 00:13:07.059 of forgiveness. 00:13:08.199 --> 00:13:09.100 No matter 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:09.939 how big 00:13:09.939 --> 00:13:11.500 no matter 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:11.980 how 00:13:11.980 --> 00:13:12.759 many 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:14.839 after all 00:13:14.839 --> 00:13:15.839 what sin 00:13:15.839 --> 00:13:16.339 could be 00:13:16.339 --> 00:13:16.839 greater 00:13:16.839 --> 00:13:18.539 than putting 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.379 to death 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:21.179 the eternal 00:13:21.179 --> 00:13:22.439 son 00:13:22.439 --> 00:13:23.899 of God 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:25.139 who had 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:25.620 come 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:26.799 in human 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:27.279 form. 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:30.100 John MacArthur 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:30.699 writes 00:13:30.699 --> 00:13:32.779 the sin 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:33.139 they were 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.059 guilty of 00:13:34.059 --> 00:13:35.359 was so 00:13:35.359 --> 00:13:36.439 unbelievably 00:13:36.439 --> 00:13:37.179 horrific 00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:38.599 that if 00:13:38.599 --> 00:13:39.259 these people 00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:39.779 had not 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:40.339 actually 00:13:40.339 --> 00:13:41.379 heard him 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:41.959 pray for 00:13:41.959 --> 00:13:42.799 their forgiveness 00:13:42.799 --> 00:13:44.719 they might 00:13:44.719 --> 00:13:45.479 have assumed 00:13:45.479 --> 00:13:46.899 that their 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:47.399 sin 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:48.639 was 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:49.399 unforgivable. 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:51.620 they might 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:52.419 have assumed 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:53.980 that their 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:54.519 sin 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:55.740 was 00:13:55.740 --> 00:13:56.519 unforgivable. 00:13:57.519 --> 00:13:58.620 After all 00:13:58.620 --> 00:13:59.579 what sin 00:13:59.579 --> 00:14:00.459 could be 00:14:00.459 --> 00:14:01.000 greater 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.799 than this? 00:14:04.179 --> 00:14:04.679 What the 00:14:04.679 --> 00:14:05.500 apostle Paul 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.120 describes 00:14:06.120 --> 00:14:06.679 elsewhere 00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:08.539 as crucifying 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:09.799 the Lord 00:14:09.799 --> 00:14:11.639 of glory. 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:14.659 if there's 00:14:14.659 --> 00:14:15.439 a possibility 00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:16.299 that this 00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:16.720 sin 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.399 can be 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:18.220 forgiven 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:20.519 then there 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:21.039 is no 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:21.360 sin 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.000 too big 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:23.819 there is 00:14:23.819 --> 00:14:24.679 no sin 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:25.659 too many 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:27.939 that the 00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:28.460 death of 00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:28.799 Jesus 00:14:28.799 --> 00:14:29.340 cannot 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:30.139 pay for 00:14:30.139 --> 00:14:30.399 it 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.899 and the 00:14:31.899 --> 00:14:32.340 forgiveness 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:33.000 of God 00:14:33.000 --> 00:14:33.559 cannot 00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:34.939 cover it. 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:37.939 Now of course 00:14:37.939 --> 00:14:38.899 they do not 00:14:38.899 --> 00:14:39.419 know what 00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:39.860 they are 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:40.600 doing. 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:42.279 Jesus puts 00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:42.899 this sin 00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:43.179 of the 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:44.000 crucifixion 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:44.659 in the 00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.279 category 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:46.340 of sins 00:14:46.340 --> 00:14:47.439 of ignorance. 00:14:48.699 --> 00:14:49.120 He prays 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.919 Father forgive 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:50.799 them for 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:51.500 they do 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.059 not know 00:14:52.059 --> 00:14:52.500 what they 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.519 are doing. 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:56.699 Now 00:14:56.699 --> 00:14:57.699 exactly who 00:14:57.699 --> 00:14:58.459 Jesus is 00:14:58.459 --> 00:14:59.360 referring to 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:00.779 isn't very 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:01.279 clear. 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:02.799 Does he 00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:03.139 mean the 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:03.620 soldiers 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:04.939 who have 00:15:04.939 --> 00:15:05.319 nailed him 00:15:05.319 --> 00:15:05.600 to the 00:15:05.600 --> 00:15:06.079 cross? 00:15:06.779 --> 00:15:07.179 Is he 00:15:07.179 --> 00:15:07.639 referring to 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.279 the crowd 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:08.679 who have 00:15:08.679 --> 00:15:09.239 called for 00:15:09.239 --> 00:15:10.120 his crucifixion? 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:11.259 Is he 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:11.719 talking about 00:15:11.719 --> 00:15:12.099 the Roman 00:15:12.099 --> 00:15:12.759 authorities 00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:13.259 who have 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:14.099 sanctioned 00:15:14.099 --> 00:15:14.759 his death? 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:16.139 Could he 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:17.039 even mean 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:17.539 the Jewish 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:18.299 religious leaders 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:18.659 who have 00:15:18.659 --> 00:15:19.639 plotted to 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:20.239 kill him 00:15:20.239 --> 00:15:21.000 for some 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:21.399 time? 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:24.179 But the 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:24.899 Apostle Paul 00:15:24.899 --> 00:15:25.759 seems to 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:26.299 take the 00:15:26.299 --> 00:15:27.219 broadest 00:15:27.219 --> 00:15:28.239 and the 00:15:28.239 --> 00:15:29.079 most generous 00:15:29.079 --> 00:15:30.459 of those 00:15:30.459 --> 00:15:31.199 interpretations 00:15:31.199 --> 00:15:31.699 when he 00:15:31.699 --> 00:15:32.239 writes in 00:15:32.239 --> 00:15:32.759 1 Corinthians 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:33.399 2 verse 00:15:33.399 --> 00:15:33.719 8 00:15:33.719 --> 00:15:35.259 none of 00:15:35.259 --> 00:15:35.679 the rulers 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.139 of this 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:36.599 age 00:15:36.599 --> 00:15:37.639 understood 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:38.039 it. 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:39.379 For 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:39.879 if they 00:15:39.879 --> 00:15:40.459 had 00:15:40.459 --> 00:15:41.939 they 00:15:41.939 --> 00:15:42.339 would 00:15:42.339 --> 00:15:42.719 not 00:15:42.719 --> 00:15:42.979 have 00:15:42.979 --> 00:15:43.639 crucified 00:15:43.639 --> 00:15:44.739 the 00:15:44.739 --> 00:15:45.199 Lord 00:15:45.199 --> 00:15:46.159 of 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:46.599 glory. 00:15:47.479 --> 00:15:48.179 If 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:48.319 they 00:15:48.319 --> 00:15:48.479 had 00:15:48.479 --> 00:15:48.799 really 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:49.500 understood 00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.019 who 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:50.759 Jesus 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:51.519 was 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.299 none 00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:52.679 of the 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:53.019 rulers 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:53.639 would have 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:54.120 sanctioned 00:15:54.120 --> 00:15:54.719 his death. 00:15:55.359 --> 00:15:55.899 Not the 00:15:55.899 --> 00:15:56.199 Jewish 00:15:56.199 --> 00:15:56.639 religious 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:57.079 leaders 00:15:57.079 --> 00:15:57.759 not the 00:15:57.759 --> 00:15:57.959 Roman 00:15:57.959 --> 00:15:58.719 authorities 00:15:58.719 --> 00:15:59.539 Pilate 00:15:59.539 --> 00:16:00.059 would not 00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:00.219 have 00:16:00.219 --> 00:16:00.679 handed him 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:01.039 over to 00:16:01.039 --> 00:16:01.579 the crowd 00:16:01.579 --> 00:16:02.279 and the 00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:02.740 soldiers 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.219 would not 00:16:03.219 --> 00:16:03.379 have 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:03.779 nailed him 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:04.059 to the 00:16:04.059 --> 00:16:04.419 cross 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:05.000 none 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:05.500 of them 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:05.899 they 00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:06.199 would 00:16:06.199 --> 00:16:06.480 not 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:06.759 have 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.459 dared 00:16:07.459 --> 00:16:07.839 to 00:16:07.839 --> 00:16:09.819 plot 00:16:09.819 --> 00:16:10.360 the 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:10.899 death 00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:11.699 of the 00:16:11.699 --> 00:16:12.179 creator 00:16:12.179 --> 00:16:12.579 of the 00:16:12.579 --> 00:16:12.959 world 00:16:12.959 --> 00:16:15.179 to 00:16:15.179 --> 00:16:15.639 seek to 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.139 destroy 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:16.620 the one 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.019 who is 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:17.659 immortal 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:18.439 and 00:16:18.439 --> 00:16:19.000 eternal 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:20.579 to 00:16:20.579 --> 00:16:20.980 pass 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:21.519 judgment 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.019 on the 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:22.339 one 00:16:22.339 --> 00:16:22.600 who 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:23.120 alone 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:23.659 would 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:24.039 pass 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:24.539 judgment 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:24.839 on 00:16:24.839 --> 00:16:25.379 every 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:25.939 human 00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:26.539 being 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.039 who 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:27.419 ever 00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:28.039 lived. 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:29.939 If only 00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:30.339 they had 00:16:30.339 --> 00:16:30.879 understood 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:31.379 who 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:31.879 Jesus 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.639 was 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:33.539 they 00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:34.000 would 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:34.360 not 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:34.639 have 00:16:34.639 --> 00:16:35.259 dared 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:35.579 to 00:16:35.579 --> 00:16:35.860 lay 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:36.199 a 00:16:36.199 --> 00:16:36.620 finger 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.459 on 00:16:37.459 --> 00:16:37.779 him. 00:16:39.480 --> 00:16:40.439 But 00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:40.620 they 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.059 did not 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:41.779 understand 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:43.620 this 00:16:43.620 --> 00:16:44.059 was a 00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:44.459 sin 00:16:44.459 --> 00:16:45.699 of 00:16:45.699 --> 00:16:46.319 ignorance. 00:16:48.719 --> 00:16:49.659 But 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.059 sins 00:16:50.059 --> 00:16:50.299 of 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:51.000 ignorance 00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:52.279 still 00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:53.179 make 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:53.639 us 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.740 guilty. 00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:57.199 That's 00:16:57.199 --> 00:16:57.759 clear from 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.299 the fact 00:16:58.299 --> 00:16:58.559 that 00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:58.939 Jesus 00:16:58.939 --> 00:17:00.340 prays 00:17:00.340 --> 00:17:01.259 for 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:01.519 their 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:01.980 forgiveness. 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:04.279 Forgiveness 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.660 isn't 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:04.940 needed 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:05.200 when 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:05.579 someone 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:06.039 hasn't 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.220 done 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:06.680 wrong. 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:07.759 It's 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:07.960 their 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.440 guilt 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:09.019 that 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:09.500 requires 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:10.000 forgiveness. 00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:12.619 But 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:12.900 you know 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:13.379 that too 00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:13.779 if you've 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.220 tried to 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:14.619 plead your 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:15.059 case with 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:15.559 a guard 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:16.359 who has 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:16.759 pulled you 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.160 over for 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:17.500 speeding. 00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:20.000 Do you 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.379 know what 00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:21.039 speed you 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:21.500 were doing? 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:22.099 The guard 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:22.640 asks. 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:24.299 No, 00:17:24.379 --> 00:17:25.059 I thought 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:25.599 I was 00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:26.000 doing the 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.619 right speed. 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:28.299 Didn't 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:28.660 you see 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:29.160 the 50 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:29.599 kilometre 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:30.339 sign as 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:30.680 you entered 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:31.079 into the 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:31.440 village? 00:17:32.440 --> 00:17:32.819 Sorry 00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:33.220 officer, 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:33.660 I didn't 00:17:33.660 --> 00:17:34.140 see the 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:34.480 sign. 00:17:35.779 --> 00:17:36.319 The guard 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:36.839 starts to 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.279 take down 00:17:37.279 --> 00:17:37.460 your 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:37.940 details. 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:38.960 Your 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:39.400 ignorance 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:39.980 is not 00:17:39.980 --> 00:17:40.339 going to 00:17:40.339 --> 00:17:40.900 free you 00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:41.279 from your 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:41.579 guilt. 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:42.420 Your 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:42.900 ignorance 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:43.339 will not 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:43.900 protect you 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:44.359 from those 00:17:44.359 --> 00:17:44.660 three 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:45.140 penalty 00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:45.640 points 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:46.019 and that 00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:46.740 now, 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:47.240 believe it 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:47.599 or not, 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.680 160 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:49.119 euro 00:17:49.119 --> 00:17:49.640 fine. 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:52.240 But it's 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:52.520 the same 00:17:52.520 --> 00:17:53.060 in all 00:17:53.060 --> 00:17:53.680 kinds of 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:54.280 areas of 00:17:54.280 --> 00:17:54.680 life. 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:55.520 Whether 00:17:55.520 --> 00:17:56.020 it's paying 00:17:56.020 --> 00:17:56.540 your income 00:17:56.540 --> 00:17:57.060 tax or 00:17:57.060 --> 00:17:57.500 not putting 00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:57.960 money in 00:17:57.960 --> 00:17:58.460 the parking 00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:58.820 meter, 00:17:59.180 --> 00:17:59.360 your 00:17:59.360 --> 00:18:00.000 ignorance 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.660 does not 00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:01.320 free you 00:18:01.320 --> 00:18:01.820 from your 00:18:01.820 --> 00:18:02.240 guilt. 00:18:03.060 --> 00:18:03.759 A fine 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:04.740 still has 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:05.080 to be 00:18:05.080 --> 00:18:05.500 paid, 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:06.800 whether 00:18:06.800 --> 00:18:07.480 you knew 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:07.880 you were 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.259 breaking 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:08.800 the law 00:18:08.800 --> 00:18:09.740 or not. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.380 You see, 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:11.740 there's an 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.540 expectation 00:18:12.540 --> 00:18:13.680 that you 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:14.240 should know 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:14.720 the law 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:15.560 and obey 00:18:15.560 --> 00:18:15.840 it. 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:17.160 If you're 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:17.800 driving on 00:18:17.800 --> 00:18:18.360 the roads, 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:19.559 there's an 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:20.079 expectation 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:20.459 that you 00:18:20.459 --> 00:18:20.899 know the 00:18:20.899 --> 00:18:21.639 rules of 00:18:21.639 --> 00:18:22.079 the road 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:23.019 and that 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.459 you obey 00:18:23.459 --> 00:18:23.779 them. 00:18:24.219 --> 00:18:24.759 It's your 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.599 responsibility 00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:26.299 to know 00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:26.519 them. 00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:27.740 You should 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.539 know better 00:18:28.539 --> 00:18:29.279 and ignorance 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:30.079 is no 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:30.699 excuse. 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:32.979 Now, 00:18:33.039 --> 00:18:33.479 the same 00:18:33.479 --> 00:18:34.039 is true 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:34.539 here. 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:35.959 Jesus 00:18:35.959 --> 00:18:36.619 has spent 00:18:36.619 --> 00:18:37.779 three years 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.439 in public 00:18:38.439 --> 00:18:39.000 life, 00:18:39.539 --> 00:18:40.199 teaching to 00:18:40.199 --> 00:18:41.419 vast crowds, 00:18:41.939 --> 00:18:42.579 healing the 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:42.919 sick, 00:18:43.419 --> 00:18:44.000 demonstrating 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.599 his power 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:45.379 over nature. 00:18:46.019 --> 00:18:46.299 He has 00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.559 clearly identified 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:48.299 himself as 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.859 the promised 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.460 Messiah. 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:50.680 For anyone 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:51.399 who wants 00:18:51.399 --> 00:18:51.919 to know 00:18:51.919 --> 00:18:52.399 the truth 00:18:52.399 --> 00:18:53.099 about Jesus, 00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.240 there has 00:18:54.240 --> 00:18:55.000 been more 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.859 than enough 00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:56.440 evidence. 00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.559 I didn't 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.139 know 00:19:00.139 --> 00:19:02.539 just won't 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.579 cut it. 00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:05.980 Ignorance 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:07.519 is no 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:08.839 excuse. 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:12.039 Now, 00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:12.779 perhaps there 00:19:12.779 --> 00:19:13.119 are some 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:13.619 people here 00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:14.379 this morning 00:19:14.379 --> 00:19:15.720 who've had a 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.599 very casual 00:19:16.599 --> 00:19:17.219 approach 00:19:17.219 --> 00:19:18.279 to Jesus. 00:19:20.159 --> 00:19:20.740 Jesus' 00:19:20.939 --> 00:19:21.599 identity is 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:22.419 not something 00:19:22.419 --> 00:19:23.000 that you've 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:24.199 really given 00:19:24.199 --> 00:19:24.919 that much 00:19:24.919 --> 00:19:25.939 thought to. 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:27.679 And to be 00:19:27.679 --> 00:19:28.039 honest, 00:19:28.159 --> 00:19:28.639 you're quite 00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:29.240 content 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.639 in your 00:19:30.639 --> 00:19:31.139 ignorance. 00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:32.599 And your 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:33.199 hope is 00:19:33.199 --> 00:19:34.019 that perhaps 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:35.199 your ignorance 00:19:35.199 --> 00:19:36.480 will save 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:36.799 you. 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:38.939 Sorry, 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:39.480 officer, 00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:41.039 has perhaps 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.699 worked for you 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.200 before. 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.840 But it 00:19:44.840 --> 00:19:45.420 does not 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:45.860 work, 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.420 and it 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.140 will not 00:19:48.140 --> 00:19:49.700 work with 00:19:49.700 --> 00:19:50.080 God. 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:52.640 Sins of 00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.380 ignorance 00:19:53.380 --> 00:19:54.700 still make 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:56.840 us guilty. 00:19:56.839 --> 00:20:00.379 now, 00:20:00.419 --> 00:20:00.919 perhaps this 00:20:00.919 --> 00:20:01.500 prayer of 00:20:01.500 --> 00:20:01.919 Jesus 00:20:01.919 --> 00:20:03.559 still leaves 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:03.919 you with 00:20:03.919 --> 00:20:04.740 some puzzling 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.579 questions. 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:07.220 How, 00:20:07.419 --> 00:20:07.779 after all, 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.399 was Jesus' 00:20:08.659 --> 00:20:09.559 prayer answered? 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:10.980 And what 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.939 exactly is 00:20:11.939 --> 00:20:12.859 Jesus praying 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.379 for? 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:15.359 After all, 00:20:15.439 --> 00:20:16.000 if Jesus 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.919 is God, 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:18.779 doesn't he 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.459 have the 00:20:19.459 --> 00:20:20.599 authority to 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:21.480 forgive sins? 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.279 Hasn't he 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.459 declared other 00:20:24.459 --> 00:20:25.519 people to be 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.400 forgiven? 00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:27.839 Like the 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:28.460 lame man 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:29.240 whose friends 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:29.779 brought him 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.259 to Jesus, 00:20:30.359 --> 00:20:30.700 or the 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:31.500 woman who 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:31.960 was caught 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.639 in adultery? 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:34.099 If Jesus 00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:34.720 has the 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.720 authority to 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.879 forgive sins, 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:39.200 why is he 00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:40.000 praying to 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.539 his heavenly 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:42.279 father to 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:42.859 forgive them? 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:45.379 Now, 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.000 the answer 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.660 to Jesus' 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.639 prayer is 00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:49.259 not by an 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.299 indiscriminate 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:50.879 pardon. 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.299 That's not 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:51.940 what's happening 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.680 at the cross. 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:53.920 We might think 00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.680 it sounds like 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:54.980 that. 00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.180 As though 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:56.839 Jesus is 00:20:56.839 --> 00:20:57.519 granting a 00:20:57.519 --> 00:20:58.359 pardon to 00:20:58.359 --> 00:20:59.700 anyone who 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:00.359 is involved 00:21:00.359 --> 00:21:01.359 in any way 00:21:01.359 --> 00:21:02.220 with his 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:03.019 crucifixion. 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:04.940 It might 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:05.559 appear that 00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:06.079 Jesus is 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:06.619 throwing out 00:21:06.619 --> 00:21:07.420 pardons as 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:07.940 freely as 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.619 Donald Trump 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:09.500 in the last 00:21:09.500 --> 00:21:09.960 week of his 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:10.519 presidency. 00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:12.379 But that's 00:21:12.379 --> 00:21:13.160 not the case 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:14.119 at all. 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:15.639 In fact, 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.460 Jesus has 00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:17.539 just warned 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.740 of a 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.079 coming 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:19.519 judgment. 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:22.160 Jesus has 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:22.940 told the 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.799 mourning women 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:25.000 that instead 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:25.539 of weeping 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.279 for him, 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.440 they should 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.139 weep for 00:21:28.139 --> 00:21:29.240 themselves and 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:29.700 for their 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.159 children. 00:21:31.659 --> 00:21:32.059 Indeed, 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:32.599 the coming 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.319 judgment will 00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:33.980 be so 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:36.180 severe that 00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:36.940 mothers will 00:21:36.940 --> 00:21:37.500 wish that 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:37.879 they had 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:39.180 never had 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:39.639 children. 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:41.539 And grown 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.319 men in 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:43.519 fear will 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:44.339 long that the 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:44.960 mountains would 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:45.879 fall on them 00:21:45.879 --> 00:21:46.519 and cover 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:46.879 them. 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:49.360 this is no 00:21:49.360 --> 00:21:50.240 indiscriminate 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:51.100 pardon where 00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:52.200 everyone escapes 00:21:52.200 --> 00:21:53.060 judgment. 00:21:55.580 --> 00:21:56.180 Instead, 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:57.200 Jesus is 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.880 doing the 00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.860 very thing 00:21:58.860 --> 00:22:00.620 that he 00:22:00.620 --> 00:22:01.280 had taught 00:22:01.280 --> 00:22:02.120 his followers 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:02.800 to do. 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:04.860 Remember the 00:22:04.860 --> 00:22:05.200 words of 00:22:05.200 --> 00:22:05.680 Jesus in 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.420 Matthew 5 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:06.860 and verse 00:22:06.860 --> 00:22:07.520 44. 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:10.340 Love your 00:22:10.340 --> 00:22:12.320 enemies and 00:22:12.320 --> 00:22:13.840 pray for 00:22:13.840 --> 00:22:15.380 those who 00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:16.340 persecute you. 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:17.480 you. 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.660 Jesus isn't 00:22:19.660 --> 00:22:20.060 like that 00:22:20.060 --> 00:22:21.080 long line 00:22:21.080 --> 00:22:21.880 of disgraced 00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:22.560 politicians 00:22:22.560 --> 00:22:23.920 who set 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:24.780 standards for 00:22:24.780 --> 00:22:25.360 the average 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:25.820 member of 00:22:25.820 --> 00:22:26.380 the public 00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:27.820 and then 00:22:27.820 --> 00:22:28.780 disregards those 00:22:28.780 --> 00:22:29.260 standards 00:22:29.260 --> 00:22:29.960 themselves. 00:22:31.620 --> 00:22:31.780 No, 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:32.840 Jesus lives 00:22:32.840 --> 00:22:33.580 out what 00:22:33.580 --> 00:22:34.160 he has 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:34.640 taught. 00:22:35.080 --> 00:22:35.660 Love your 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.420 enemies and 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.460 pray for 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.660 those who 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.580 persecute you. 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:41.799 Now, 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.319 it is a 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:42.919 difficult 00:22:42.919 --> 00:22:45.480 thing to 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:45.980 pray for 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.579 those who 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:48.039 have hurt 00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:48.319 you. 00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:51.199 It is not 00:22:51.199 --> 00:22:52.019 easy to 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:53.019 wish good 00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:55.039 for someone 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.480 who has 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.099 caused you 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:56.480 harm. 00:22:57.799 --> 00:22:58.439 And left 00:22:58.439 --> 00:22:59.299 to ourselves, 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.579 we want 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:01.039 just the 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.379 opposite. 00:23:01.380 --> 00:23:03.700 we wish 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.520 for bad 00:23:04.520 --> 00:23:05.120 things to 00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:05.680 happen to 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.200 the person 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:06.480 who has 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.060 hurt us. 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:08.600 And rather 00:23:08.600 --> 00:23:09.220 than praying 00:23:09.220 --> 00:23:10.020 for them, 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.120 we would 00:23:11.120 --> 00:23:12.320 call down 00:23:12.320 --> 00:23:13.260 curses from 00:23:13.260 --> 00:23:14.440 heaven if 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:14.960 we could. 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:15.059 God, 00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:17.600 but the 00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:19.660 Christian is 00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:20.100 to leave 00:23:20.100 --> 00:23:21.980 judgment with 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.440 God. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:24.259 No matter 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.220 how much 00:23:25.220 --> 00:23:26.180 someone has 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:26.960 sinned against 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:28.039 you, their 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:28.880 sin is 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:29.779 primarily 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:31.600 against God. 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:33.140 However 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:33.819 much someone 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:34.620 has hurt 00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:35.640 you, first 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:36.400 and foremost, 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:36.840 they have 00:23:36.840 --> 00:23:38.319 disregarded the 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:39.000 commands of 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.360 God. 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.400 However 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:42.160 much someone 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:43.279 has harmed 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:44.819 you, they 00:23:44.819 --> 00:23:45.700 have rebelled 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.659 against their 00:23:46.659 --> 00:23:48.240 loving creator. 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:49.879 And the 00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:50.779 offence against 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.399 you, no 00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:52.139 matter how 00:23:52.139 --> 00:23:52.759 great it 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.500 may be, 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:55.259 that offence 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.879 peels into 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:58.379 insignificance 00:23:58.379 --> 00:24:00.639 in comparison 00:24:00.639 --> 00:24:02.419 to their 00:24:02.419 --> 00:24:03.119 offence 00:24:03.119 --> 00:24:04.700 against God. 00:24:06.399 --> 00:24:07.779 If anyone 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.299 has the 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:08.899 right to 00:24:08.899 --> 00:24:09.319 demand 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.119 justice, 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:12.419 surely it 00:24:12.419 --> 00:24:12.799 is the 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:14.419 man who 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:14.940 is hanging 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:16.759 here upon 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.460 the cross. 00:24:20.060 --> 00:24:21.060 But here 00:24:21.060 --> 00:24:21.900 is Jesus, 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:24.279 God the 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:24.720 Son, 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.620 come in 00:24:26.620 --> 00:24:27.400 the frailty 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:28.200 of human 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:28.880 flesh. 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.460 And he 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:31.400 speaks these 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.180 words, if you 00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:33.160 like, not as 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:33.960 the eternal 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:35.100 Son of God, 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.220 who has the 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:37.100 authority to 00:24:37.100 --> 00:24:37.480 forgive, 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:40.019 but as a 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:41.200 human being 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:42.259 like you 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:43.160 and I, 00:24:44.360 --> 00:24:45.140 praying for 00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:46.840 those who 00:24:46.840 --> 00:24:47.940 are persecuting 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.259 him, 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:51.600 loving even 00:24:51.600 --> 00:24:53.259 his enemies. 00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:55.819 Here in the 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:56.900 dying hours of 00:24:56.900 --> 00:24:57.840 Jesus' life, 00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:59.279 we see the 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.900 perfect human 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:01.799 being, 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:04.120 what you 00:25:04.120 --> 00:25:04.980 and I 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:06.059 are meant 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:06.620 to be, 00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:09.400 praying that 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.180 his Father 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:10.980 in heaven 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:12.519 would forgive 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:14.160 those who 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:14.600 have treated 00:25:14.600 --> 00:25:17.040 him so 00:25:17.040 --> 00:25:17.519 terribly. 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.160 Now I'm 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:20.480 sure we've 00:25:20.480 --> 00:25:20.900 all heard 00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:21.280 it say, 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:21.780 I'm sure 00:25:21.780 --> 00:25:22.040 we've 00:25:22.040 --> 00:25:22.380 repeated 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:22.759 this, 00:25:23.360 --> 00:25:23.940 to err 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:24.759 is human, 00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:26.060 to forgive 00:25:26.060 --> 00:25:27.060 divine. 00:25:27.740 --> 00:25:28.320 And maybe 00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:29.100 we say it 00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:29.680 thinking that 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.220 gets us 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.620 off the 00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:30.940 hook. 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.200 But as 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.560 human beings 00:25:34.560 --> 00:25:35.480 made in 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.000 the image 00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.480 of God, 00:25:36.580 --> 00:25:37.440 to be like 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.900 God, 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.799 here we 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.720 see Jesus 00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.640 in his 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.259 perfect 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:42.039 humanity, 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:43.759 praying for 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.860 those who 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:45.799 are persecuting 00:25:45.799 --> 00:25:46.519 them and 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.600 praying for 00:25:47.600 --> 00:25:48.360 their forgiveness 00:25:48.360 --> 00:25:49.680 just as he 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:50.360 has taught 00:25:50.360 --> 00:25:51.600 us to 00:25:51.600 --> 00:25:51.880 do. 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.380 You see, 00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:54.920 the answer 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.539 to Jesus' 00:25:55.820 --> 00:25:57.620 prayer doesn't 00:25:57.620 --> 00:25:58.460 come by an 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.299 indiscriminate 00:25:59.299 --> 00:25:59.799 pardon, 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:01.460 but through 00:26:01.460 --> 00:26:02.400 the declaration 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.080 of the 00:26:03.080 --> 00:26:04.680 gospel message. 00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:06.940 the answer 00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:07.480 to Jesus' 00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:08.340 prayer begins, 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.100 if you like, 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.620 some weeks 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:11.039 later. 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.799 On the 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.120 day of 00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:13.720 Pentecost, 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.580 after Jesus 00:26:14.580 --> 00:26:15.060 has risen 00:26:15.060 --> 00:26:15.460 from the 00:26:15.460 --> 00:26:15.880 dead and 00:26:15.880 --> 00:26:16.440 returned to 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:16.759 heaven, 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:17.940 Peter stands 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:18.440 up in front 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:18.940 of a large 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:19.940 crowd and 00:26:19.940 --> 00:26:20.640 he declares 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.420 Jesus to 00:26:21.420 --> 00:26:21.920 be both 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:22.900 Lord and 00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:23.380 Messiah. 00:26:24.340 --> 00:26:25.019 He tells 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.380 the many 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:26.039 Jews who 00:26:26.039 --> 00:26:26.460 have gathered 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:26.940 for this 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:28.019 festival that 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.640 God had 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:29.440 shown Jesus 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:30.720 to be who 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:31.340 he claimed 00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:32.440 to be by 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.120 miracles, 00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:34.019 wonders, 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:35.160 and signs, 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:36.980 but that 00:26:36.980 --> 00:26:37.460 they, 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.460 with the 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:38.900 help of 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.680 wicked men, 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:41.000 put him 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.559 to death 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:42.299 by kneeling 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.660 him to 00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.259 the cross. 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:45.839 He tells 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.259 them of the 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.839 resurrection, 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:47.799 of Jesus' 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:48.400 return to 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:48.720 heaven, 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:49.700 that he 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.319 will come 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:50.879 from heaven 00:26:50.879 --> 00:26:51.599 again to 00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:53.440 silence all 00:26:53.440 --> 00:26:53.819 of his 00:26:53.819 --> 00:26:54.220 enemies. 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.359 And the 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:58.339 crowds are 00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:59.139 moved in 00:26:59.139 --> 00:26:59.740 their hearts 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.639 to ask, 00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:03.139 what shall 00:27:03.140 --> 00:27:04.660 we do? 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.800 What will 00:27:06.800 --> 00:27:07.280 we do? 00:27:09.340 --> 00:27:10.080 And Peter's 00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:10.560 response 00:27:10.560 --> 00:27:11.200 couldn't be 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:11.900 any clearer. 00:27:14.060 --> 00:27:14.720 Repent 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:16.759 and be 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.180 baptized, 00:27:17.560 --> 00:27:18.200 every one 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:18.740 of you, 00:27:19.300 --> 00:27:19.900 in the 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.360 name of 00:27:20.360 --> 00:27:21.380 Jesus Christ 00:27:21.380 --> 00:27:23.460 for the 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.100 forgiveness 00:27:24.100 --> 00:27:26.320 of sins. 00:27:27.280 --> 00:27:28.300 Here is the 00:27:28.300 --> 00:27:29.000 answer to 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.400 Jesus' 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:29.920 prayer, 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:31.000 an answer 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.619 that comes 00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:32.440 through the 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.480 gospel message, 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.799 that every 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.859 person who 00:27:35.859 --> 00:27:36.759 turns from 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.779 their sins 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.880 and trusts 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:39.799 only in 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.339 Jesus, 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.740 receives 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.819 the forgiveness 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.680 of sins. 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:45.799 Every sin, 00:27:46.160 --> 00:27:46.640 no matter 00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.500 how big, 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.259 no matter 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:49.299 how many. 00:27:50.640 --> 00:27:51.460 And why? 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:54.000 Because the 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:55.180 only truly 00:27:55.180 --> 00:27:55.900 innocent 00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:56.940 person who 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.920 ever lived 00:27:57.920 --> 00:28:00.319 was numbered 00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:02.100 with the 00:28:02.100 --> 00:28:03.000 transgressors 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:05.380 and made 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:06.259 intercession 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:07.660 for the 00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:08.579 transgressors. 00:28:09.840 --> 00:28:10.240 The 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:10.900 sinless 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.319 one 00:28:11.319 --> 00:28:12.660 took our 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.240 place 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:15.259 so that 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:15.920 we who 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:16.740 turn from 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.340 our sins 00:28:17.340 --> 00:28:17.880 and trust 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:18.519 in Jesus 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:20.259 might know 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:21.700 the forgiveness 00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:23.299 of God. 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.420 And it was 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:25.879 for this 00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:26.619 very reason 00:28:26.619 --> 00:28:27.279 that Jesus 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.160 had commissioned 00:28:28.160 --> 00:28:29.279 his first 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.900 disciples 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:31.259 to declare 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:32.379 this good 00:28:32.379 --> 00:28:33.119 news, 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.059 this message 00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:34.759 of forgiveness 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.940 that comes 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.299 through the 00:28:36.299 --> 00:28:36.779 cross of 00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:37.099 Jesus. 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:39.379 And it's 00:28:39.379 --> 00:28:39.839 for this 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.940 very reason 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:42.619 that God 00:28:42.619 --> 00:28:43.180 has placed 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:43.980 his people 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:45.259 in this 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.059 very 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:47.119 town. 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:48.879 It is 00:28:48.879 --> 00:28:49.400 the very 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:49.960 reason 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.640 that this 00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:51.400 church 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:52.680 exists. 00:28:53.600 --> 00:28:54.100 It is 00:28:54.100 --> 00:28:54.720 the reason 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.620 every 00:28:55.620 --> 00:28:56.480 gospel 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.380 church 00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:58.560 exists. 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.560 To 00:29:00.560 --> 00:29:01.160 bear witness 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:01.600 to the 00:29:01.600 --> 00:29:02.060 forgiveness 00:29:02.060 --> 00:29:02.840 of sins 00:29:02.840 --> 00:29:03.259 that they 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.900 have found 00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:05.180 only in 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:05.580 Jesus. 00:29:07.080 --> 00:29:07.759 And to 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.360 declare that 00:29:08.360 --> 00:29:08.980 same 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:10.019 promise of 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.420 forgiveness 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:12.780 to everyone 00:29:12.780 --> 00:29:13.340 who will 00:29:13.340 --> 00:29:13.940 turn from 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:14.720 their sins 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:16.360 no matter 00:29:16.360 --> 00:29:17.000 how big, 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:18.940 no matter 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.599 how many, 00:29:20.960 --> 00:29:21.599 and trust 00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:23.680 only in 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:23.960 him. 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.819 Let's pray 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.579 together. 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:35.939 Father, as 00:29:35.939 --> 00:29:36.539 we think of 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:36.919 the one 00:29:36.919 --> 00:29:38.199 who hung 00:29:38.199 --> 00:29:38.720 on that 00:29:38.720 --> 00:29:39.199 cross, 00:29:40.639 --> 00:29:41.939 we know 00:29:41.939 --> 00:29:42.559 of all 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.119 people he 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:43.579 did not 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.159 deserve to 00:29:44.159 --> 00:29:44.579 be there. 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.259 We know 00:29:46.259 --> 00:29:46.819 that only 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:48.279 he was 00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:48.919 completely 00:29:48.919 --> 00:29:49.460 innocent 00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:50.859 of all 00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:51.439 sins. 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:53.779 and yet 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:54.340 we thank 00:29:54.340 --> 00:29:54.600 you that 00:29:54.600 --> 00:29:54.880 you have 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:55.720 helped us 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.120 to come 00:29:56.120 --> 00:29:56.840 to understand 00:29:56.840 --> 00:29:57.360 that he 00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:58.519 hangs there 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.019 not for 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.600 the wrongs 00:29:59.600 --> 00:29:59.880 that he 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:00.340 has done, 00:30:01.100 --> 00:30:01.880 but for 00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:02.440 the wrongs 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.320 that we 00:30:03.320 --> 00:30:03.820 have done. 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:06.000 Father, we 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.539 know that it 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:07.620 was we 00:30:07.620 --> 00:30:08.360 who deserved 00:30:08.360 --> 00:30:09.000 to face 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:10.120 your judgment, 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.640 that it was 00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.180 we who 00:30:12.180 --> 00:30:12.779 deserved to 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.539 be cut off 00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:13.900 from the 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:14.920 land of 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:15.320 the living. 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:16.600 But, 00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.059 Father, we 00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:17.820 thank you that 00:30:17.820 --> 00:30:18.460 that judgment 00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:19.299 fell on 00:30:19.299 --> 00:30:19.720 Jesus 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.500 instead of 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:20.819 us. 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:22.460 And we 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:22.940 thank you 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:23.240 that there 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:23.879 is no 00:30:23.879 --> 00:30:24.579 sin too 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:24.960 big, 00:30:25.440 --> 00:30:26.019 that there 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.500 are no 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:27.200 sins too 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:27.659 many, 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.559 that cannot 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:30.559 be covered 00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:31.659 by the 00:30:31.659 --> 00:30:32.099 forgiveness 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:32.539 that is 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.059 found in 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.399 Jesus, 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.399 because he 00:30:35.399 --> 00:30:36.799 has paid 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.240 it all. 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:38.859 And so, 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:39.339 Father, we 00:30:39.339 --> 00:30:39.940 pray that you 00:30:39.940 --> 00:30:40.539 might remind 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.039 us of the 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:41.419 forgiveness 00:30:41.419 --> 00:30:41.940 that we 00:30:41.940 --> 00:30:42.700 have received, 00:30:43.659 --> 00:30:44.339 and that we 00:30:44.339 --> 00:30:45.019 might look to 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:46.539 Jesus, not 00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:47.079 only as the 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:47.500 one who 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.279 forgives us 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:48.759 of sin, 00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.480 but shows 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:49.879 us what 00:30:49.879 --> 00:30:50.440 it means 00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:51.440 to love 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:51.779 and to 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.940 forgive those 00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:53.279 who have 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.019 harmed us. 00:30:54.920 --> 00:30:55.259 And we 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:55.819 ask this in 00:30:55.819 --> 00:30:56.980 the name of 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.420 the Lord 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:57.799 Jesus. 00:30:59.019 --> 00:30:59.379 Amen. 00:31:02.099 --> 00:31:02.640 We're going 00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:03.019 to stand and 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:03.440 sing a song 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:04.079 together before 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:04.619 Johnny comes 00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:05.039 to lead us 00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:05.500 around the 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:05.980 Lord's table.