Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:34

If you want to understand how powerful the love of Christ is for You, look at what Jesus did on the cross. These people who mocked him, spit on him, beat him, and eventually crucified him. Jesus prayed to our Heavenly Father to forgive them!

When somebody “wrongs you” how do you typically respond? You might have a few harsh words for them , maybe you even get into a physical altercation with them. But Jesus not only forgave his enemies, but he also died for them. Jesus still has many enemies today, and he shed his blood for all of them to come to repentance of their sins

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. Luke 23:35

Even after Jesus offered mercy and forgiveness to these people, they still mocked and crucified him. This is still happening today! Even 2,000 years after Jesus rose from the grave, people still curse his name, they still mock him, they still reject and trample on his holy blood

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? Luke 23:39-40

Even one of the criminals on the cross, who was condemned to death, was still mocking our Lord. See many wicked people will refuse to repent, even to the point of death. However the other criminal, he did fear God and he repent for his sin

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:42-43

But the other criminal did receive Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and Jesus received him as his child and he became saved that day. The power of Gods mercy demonstrated to us on the cross in Jesus holy name Amen!

But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Luke 23:21

The world continually demands evidence for God, yet when God came down here on Earth we killed him! You might say “Well its wasn’t me who killed Jesus” but actually your wrong. Your sins put Jesus on the cross.

Jesus loves you enough that he was willing to take the punishment for your sins, so you can be forgiven. Your sin not only destroys you, it destroys your family, and it hurts God. If you have ever sinned, which we all have, you are guilty for Jesus death

And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. Luke 23:23

A murder named Barabbas was released from his death sentence and Christ took his place. This doesn’t sound right, but that’s what exactly Jesus did for you! If your being honest with yourself, you deserve death but Jesus took your place!

Jesus who knew no sin, took the penalty of our sin. What a wonderful and loving God we serve!

And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will Luke 23:25

Jesus paid it all, paid it all for you sins! Those who reject this don’t understand the depravity of themselves. Come to the cross with sorrow and mourning, rejoice for our Lord Jesus Christ took your place Amen!

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: Luke 22:31

Jesus warned Peter that Satan was looking to destroy him. Now lets think about who Peter is, he is a disciple of Christ who is in the inner circle of Jesus. Peter is the one Jesus calls to lead the assembly of his “Church” However this is not stopping Satan from going after Peter!

So examine yourself now, don’t think or believe that Satan cant get to you also. If you’re a Christian and walking with The Lord, Satan wants to destroy you! If your unsaved your probably already destroying yourself with sin. God tells us Satan is like a roaring lion looking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8)

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:32

Jesus prayed for Peter that he would overcome the temptations of Satan, he also prayed that Peters faith would strengthen the rest of the disciples. Are you praying for your family? Praying for your neighbors? Praying for your Church and Pastor? Even praying for your enemies as Jesus instructed us?

We need to be praying for one another because we are in a spiritual battle not a physical one. You cant win this war weapons or might, you can only win this war with the blood of Jesus Christ

And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. Luke 22:33-34

Peter had good intentions, he believed his faith was strong and he would never fail The Lord. But we know the story, Peters fear may him deny Christ three times. Satan struck Peters heart with fear and self-preservation.

However we also know Jesus didn’t give up on Peter, even when he failed him, Jesus greeted Peter with open arms. This is a war where many souls will be lost, the good news is we have a Savior who loves us and give us victory Amen!

And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: Luke 22:15

Sometimes we can feel distant from Jesus, we can feel like all our worship and actions are in vein. However one of the reasons Jesus instituted “Communion” was for us to have that interaction and closeness with him. As Jesus says here: “He desires to have this Passover with You”

Now you might say, “Jesus is talking about the Passover meal”, however what happened at this Passover meal? Jesus introduced the Lords Supper during this meal, this was also the time before Christ went to the cross for us. I believe Communion is the fulfillment of the Passover meal

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Luke 22:19

Jesus said to “Do this in remembrance of Me”, meaning not to do this once a month or once in a while. Jesus commanded us to have communion with him, why? To have that relationship with him, to declare that you are part of his New Covenant, to profess your faith in Jesus Christ!

The bread is broken, just as Jesus body was broken on the cross for your sins! Do this in remembrance of Him!

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:20

The words “Testament” and “Covenant” are used simultaneously. Your Bible is split up in the Old Testament (Covenant) and the New Testament (Covenant). What changed between Malachi and Matthew? The Messiah (Christ) came and broke his body and shed his blood for your sins.

And he rose again on the 3^rd day to defeat sin and death forevermore. This cup in Communion is the symbol of his blood which is the New Covenant Amen!

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. Luke 22:3

One of the great mysteries of the Bible is Judas, was he ever saved? Did he become unsaved? Was his destiny predetermined? Did he betray Jesus upon his own free will?

When you start analyzing these questions, you get a lot of thoughts and theories flowing in your head, which is why I wanted to address this. I would like to analyze these thoughts and you can come to your own conclusions

Was Judas ever saved (Born Again)? Judas was part of Jesus inner-circle. He was a disciple who had direct teachings and interaction with the Son of God. Is it possible he was a complete fraud the whole time? Or was he saved at one point and fell away? Is it possible to become “Unborn Again”?

But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. Luke 22:21

Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him before it happened. The obvious first thought is Jesus is God therefor he knows the past, present , and future. If Jesus always knew this why did he allow Judas to be part of his inner-circle? Was Judas able to repent or was he always predestined to be the Son of Perdition?

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? Luke 22:48

Did Judas not understand or truly believe that Jesus was the Messiah? If he knew or believed Jesus was God, would he really betray him for some money? Makes me think Judas had no real understanding of who Jesus was or authentically believed in his teachings

And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. Matthew 27:5

Judas eventually realizes who Jesus really is, and he realized what exactly he did. Judas knows by ultimately leading the Romans to kill Jesus, he is guilty of the Messiahs blood, so he hangs himself.

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. John 17:12

Jesus calls Judas the “Son of Perdition” and that Judas is not saved. Meaning Judas went to Hell , how do you go from being a disciple of Christ to condemned to Hell?

I don’t believe Judas was every really saved (Born Again) otherwise he would have known who Jesus really is.  Be careful not to be a Judas, make sure you are Born Again! Don’t be just a follower of religion have an authentic relationship with Christ!