John Hagee Devotional – Topic: Luke 23:34 Daily Devotional 9 April      2023

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Luke 23:34

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

It was during that Last Supper with His disciples that Jesus announced that one of them, who was dipping his bread in the same dish that Jesus used, would betray Him. All of the disciples denied that they would do any such thing. Even Judas said, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi,” to which Jesus replied, “You have said it yourself” (Matthew 26:25, NASB).

Judas went on his way and Jesus went to the Mount of Olives to pray. He knew what was coming, and He knew who would betray Him. Yet, when Judas showed up with a loud, angry mob, Jesus said to His disciple, “Friend, do what you have come for” (Matthew 26:50, NASB). Even in the moment of being betrayed, Jesus calls His betrayer “friend!”

But that is not even the greatest act of forgiveness that Jesus did in His lifetime. In His final moments, having been beaten and torn and ridiculed and hung on a Cross to die, Jesus demonstrated the act of forgiveness that we, as Christian believers, are to follow. His exact words on the Cross were: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34, KJV).

Our Redeemer used His last breath to forgive a brutal Roman empire that had harassed Him and His family from the day of His birth. As blood flowed from His hands and feet, mercy flowed from His lips. They killed Him because they feared Him. They feared Him because He healed, He raised the dead, He used a boy’s sack lunch to feed a multitude, and He upset their sense of order.

They didn’t kill Him because they thought He was the Prince of Peace. They killed Him because He was considered an insurrectionist too dangerous to be allowed to live. Jesus was crucified because He fought a battle for your soul and mine. On that Cross He shed His Blood for the forgiveness of sin — my sin, your sin, the iniquity of the whole world’s sin — forgiven and forgotten, buried in the deepest sea, never to be remembered any more.

Blessing: 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. Help me Lord to follow your example of forgiveness, even when I have been deeply offended and hurt. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.

Today’s Bible Reading: 

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 33:1-29

New Testament 

Luke 13:1-22

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 78:59-72

Proverbs 12:25

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