Hebrews 12:1-3 tells us to look unto Jesus and consider Him, in regards to His struggle with the sin of the world, on the cross. Hebrews 13:11-13 shows that, in order to sanctify us, Christ made Himself an offering for our sins and bore reproach. We should also be willing to bear reproach from the world. We should go with Him and be like Him (cp. I Peter 2:21-25). The opening text in Luke 23 shows us what that reproach was like and how Christ responded to it:
| Luke 23:12 |
Enemies united and became friends through the controversy over Christ. |
| Luke 23:13-25 |
Christ's innocence and virtue was denied and despised. The wicked were preferred over Christ (John 15:18-21; Romans 1:28-32). Luke23:1-2 cp. Mark 12:13-17. |
Luke 23:26-27 |
Other innocent people were dragged into the turmoil. |
| Luke 23:28-31 |
Christ focused on the needs and sufferings of others (cp. John 19:25-27). |
| Luke 23:34 |
Christ offered good will, desiring mercy for those who harmed Him. His enemies concerned themselves with material possessions (cp. Philippians 3:18-19). |
| Luke 23:35-38 |
Christ's persecutors mocked Him and His message. They unintentionally fulfilled the prophecies of the Scriptures that they claimed to believe (John 5:37-47; Psalm 22; Luke 24:44-48). |
Consider the prayer that Jesus offered on the cross, in the presence of His enemies.
"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..." (Luke 23:34). Jesus appealed to His Heavenly Father. Jesus looked to Him as the One who can and will be merciful to sinners.
Fathers make rules, prescribe consequences for disobedience, and reward obedience, motivating their children through positive and negative reinforcement. Fathers also protect, provide, teach, and advise. The attribute that we learn about fathers, in Luke 23:34, is that they forgive and restore those who err. They pursue the erring child. They receive back those who go astray. They administer mercy and healing. Looking beyond his children's faults, a father will see their need. He shows compassion and tenderness. Fathers should make it desirable and safe to come back home.
Consider the example of a father in Luke 15:10-32
Consider the tenderness of the Heavenly Father as He corrects Ephraim (the ten northern tribes of Israel) in Jeremiah 31:18-20; Isaiah 57:15-18.
Consider the Heavenly Father's compassion and mercy to all of us (Psalm 103:8-14; Lamentations 3:22-40; Ephesians 1:3-7; 2:1-7; 4:30-32; Titus 3:1-7; Hebrews 12:5-11).
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