Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Feb/81

Contributor - Rev. Wallace R. Stoepker

Title - Sin Greater Than It Seems

Topic - Sin

No one likes to endure trouble alone. Facing problems is always more bearable when there is a friend near. With all the friends Jesus had, both disciples and the twelve apostles, it is unbelievable that Jesus had to endure his trials alone. When the betrayer led the soldiers to arrest Christ, His faithful ones forsook Him and fled. What a contrast to the ministry of Christ himself when he befriended and healed all who turned to Him for comfort.

From the lonely unjust trials, Christ was led away to be crucified at Calvary. The enemies of our Lord felt triumphant at last to see Him hanging in apparent helplessness on the cross. They were not satisfied to see the Master suffer physical pain. They sought to increase his agony with shouts and taunts. There was no sympathy for this "blasphemer" who was now suffering justly according to the opinion of the sanhedren. Listen with the mind's ear again. "He saved others; let Him save himself if He be the Christ the Son of God. He saved others, Himself He cannot save. He trusted in God. Let God deliver Him now." The implication was that because He did not save Himself, He could not.

In this atmosphere of spite and hate the first words of Jesus were spoken from the cross.' Jesus responded to his accusers and crucifers with a most memorable prayer. None would have been surprised to hear Jesus call upon his Father to send fire to destroy them. Instead they heard the intercession, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do". Certainly no one ext)ected to hear a prayer for forgiveness from the cross. Once again the Son of God lived up to his reputation; "When He was reviled, He reviled not again". His heart did not respond with hate toward his murderers.

Christ is asking God to grant pardon for their crime, the crime of crucifying the Messiah, the crime of the ages, on the basis, "they do not know what they are doing". Such a prayer ought not to have been surprising, for Isaiah in his prophecy of the suffering of the Saviour in chapter 53 had said, "and He made intercession for the transgressors".

Early in His ministry, the Lord taught, "Love your enemies", and now He demonstrates on the cross what it means.

"They know not what they do" almost seems contradictory to the circumstances. How could the religious leaders be unaware of the true person of Christ?

They had three years to hear his teachings and observe his divine miracles. But, "there are none so blind as those who will not see", and Jesus called them "blind leaders of the blind". Prejudice removed the ability to see divinity and sincerity in this "imposter".

Scripture substantiates Jesus' reasoning. Acts 13:27, "The rulers knew Him not". Acts 3:17, "Through ignorance you did it as did also your rulers". I Corinthians 2:8-9, "None of the rulers ... understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory".

Thus, the sin was greater than it seemed to the guilty religious leaders of the Jews. Jesus' intercession for the sinners did not imply that the deed was slight or to be easily overlooked. Nor must we gather the impression that Christ was pronouncing the leaders innocent because their prejudice made them ignorant of the seriousness of their crime. This prayer did not assure them a place in paradise as Jesus promised to the thief on the cross who pleaded for mercy. The sin was more serious than any observer could imagine that day.

The prayer from the cross was meant to demonstrate that even the guilt of the crucifixion was not unpardonable. It was not the unforgivable sin. But, there is no forgiveness without repentance. These, so guilty that day, could still be forgiven and enter heaven.

Did any of the religious leaders accept the pardon in this prayer? Fortunately we are informed in Acts 6:7, ,and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith".

None of those for whom Jesus pray ed that day were worthy. Nor are we, for our sins helped nail Him there. We too must find forgiveness and salvation in penitence pleading, "be merciful to me, a sinner".

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