We call him Saviour lesson two: Words that wound
We call him Savior lesson two: Words that wound
Background text
Luke 23:26-43
Focus text Luke 23:34
Reference text Luke 6:27-36
Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. ([KJV])
Words that wound, as we begin our lesson today you may ask; preacher how does our focus text show words that wound ? I am going to do something a little different in this lesson, I am going to give you the main point before we go into the study: This is the conclusion, You see mankind's nature is selfish, greedy, hurtful, self centered, spiteful we could go on and on with mankind's nature but to tie a ribbon on it we are sinful. Sin's nature is to kill, destroy, separate and cause hurt. Of all these words that we will talk about in this lesson and there will be many that were said to Jesus, of all the words they used to wound Jesus the most powerful were his words in return:Father, forgive them;. He gave the most deadly words that caused sin to be wounded.
I wonder sometimes if we don't see Christ's love as much in the people he tolerated as in the pain he endured. Because we look at his pain through the words they said to him, we miss the love that he had for them.
As we go to our background text Luke 23: 26-34 we find that the dialogue was bitter and hateful that Friday morning. From the onlookers and the religious leaders there came cries Luke 23:35
And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. ([KJV])
The soldiers mocked him Luke 23:36-37 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. ([KJV])
Even the one of the thieves, that was caught in the act, wanted to throw a wounding words in to add to the pain of Christ. Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. ([KJV])
Bitter words laced with sarcasm. Hateful, irreverent words. Wasn't it enough that he was being crucified? Wasn't it enough that he was being shamed as a criminal? Were the nails insufficient? Was the crown of thorns to soft? Had the floggings been too short? For so I guess apparently so.
The Apostle Peter: I Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: ([KJV]) Peter comments that the passer-by just didn't say the words but hurled the words, they just didn't yell or speak them. They didn't just scream out the words but with intent of heart they hurled verbal stones. They had every intention of hurting and bruising him. They had broken the body, now their intent was to break the spirit. So they strung their bows with self righteousness and lauched the stinging arrows of pure sinful poison. But praise God for the words that caused the greatest wound Father, forgive them; the wound to sin.
I guess of all the scenes around the cross the one that angers me most is this hurling of words, the mocking. Think to yourselves for a minute, what kind of people would mock a dying man? Who would be so hateful to pour the salt of scorn into open wounds? How low and perverted is it to sneer at someone suffering pain. Who would make fun of a person who is seated in an electric chair? Or who would point and laugh at a criminal who has a hangman's noose around their neck?
You can be sure that Satan and hiss demons were the cause of that such filth. With all of that even one of the thieves on the cross, throws in his punch........ Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. ([KJV]) it says that he railed on him: To use insolent and reproachful language; to utter reproaches; to scoff;
Well you may say preacher those who do the crime has to pay the penalty, maybe so, But Jesus did no crime,even the their testified to that. Luke 23:40-41 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.([KJV]) Even with those who go through our justice system has a soul to think about.
The words that were thrown out that day were meant to wound. And there is nothing more painful than words meant to hurt. That is why James calls the tongue : James 3:5-11 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? ([KJV])
I am sure I am not telling you anything new. I am sure you have had your share of words that wound. I know I have, and even gave some words to wound. We have all felt the sting of a well aimed jab. Maybe your still feeling it. Someone you love or respect slams you to the floor with a slur or slip of the tongue. And there you lie, wounded and bleeding. Perhaps the words are intended to hurt you, perhaps not; but that doesn't matter. The wound is deep. The injuries are internal. Broken heart, wounded pride, bruised feelings.
Maybe your wound is old. Through the arrow was extracted but the arrowhead is still lodged hidden under your skin. The old pin flares unpredictably and decisively, reminding you of harsh words yet forgiven.
If you have suffered or are suffering because of someone else's words, you will be glad to know there is a balm for this wound, this cut that runs deep. Think about the words we referenced to earlier from I Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: ([KJV])
Jesus did not retaliate to the insults when he was suffering on the cross. He made no threats, what he did was to entrust himself to the one who judges justly.
Do you see what Jesus did here? Unlike you or I (boy that ole flesh sure gets in the way a lot) Jesus did not retaliate. He did not bite back. He did not say, I'll get you! Come up here and say that to my face! Just wait till after the resurrection buddy, then you've had it! No No No these statement never came out of his mouth.
Do you see what Jesus did do? He committed himself or entrusted himself to God the one who can justly judge them. He left the judging to God. He did not take on the task of seeking revenge. He demanded no apology. He hired no bounty hunters, he didn't raise a posse to chase them all down and commit vigilante justice.
He on the contrary spoke on their defense: Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. ([KJV])
Yes the dialogue that Friday morning was bitter. The verbal stones were meant to sting. How Jesus with a body wracked with pain, eyes blinded by his won blood and lungs
yearning for air, could speak on behalf of some heartless thugs is beyond my comprehension. Never have I seen such love before.
If ever a person
deserved a shot at revenge, Jesus did. But he didn't take it. Instead
he died for them, he died for you, he died for me. He in turn spoke
the words that gave the mortal wound to sin Father,
forgive them; and
now all of a sudden my wounds seem very painless and my grudges and
hard feeling seem suddenly childish.
1. What kind of "Wounds" hurt the most? Physical abuse? Insults? Rejection? Prejudice? Revenge? Are there others you would add to the list? Which would you rank as the most difficult to forgive and why?
2. Which of these wounds did Jesus experience? Give an example of each?
3. In Luke's account of the Crucifixion Luke 23:26-34 focusing on what was said to Jesus. Would you agree with the statement "Sometimes I wonder if we don't see Christ's love as much in the people he tolerated as in the pain he endured".
4. If so, in what way might we today cause Jesus more pain than his crucifixion did?
If ever a person deserved a shot at revenge, Jesus did. But he didn't take it. Instead he died for them. The cliche says "revenge is sweet." How would you describe revenge? Describe a time in which you took revenge. How did you feel afterwards?
Why does revenge hurt the one who seeks it more than the one who is the intended recipient?
Describe a time in which you overcame a desire for revenge. How did it make you feel? What benefits did it bring?
If we go back to our reference scripture we can see this teaching that he drove home with his final lesson on the cross.Reference text Luke 6:27-36 Let's look at these verses for a moment.
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. ( [KJV])
No Wonder We call him Savior....What a wonderful Lord we have.
HOMEWORK HOMEWORK HOMEWORK Read the following passages on revenge and find out what they teach about revenge. Romans 12:17-21/ I Peter 3:9-17 /Ezekiel 25:15-17 . How are we to overcome our desire for revenge? When a person responds to injury with kindness what benefits does it bring? What action does God take in such situations?
Next lesson we will speak about vigilant Vengeance.