Luke 23:34 ~ “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”

I just have a lot of questions about this verse. I invite you into the questions, and I hope you might have some answers or more questions to add in the comments below:

Who is them? Was he just referring to the two criminals who were being crucified on either side of him? Is them the Jewish leaders who orchestrated Jesus’ crucifixion? Does it include the Romans that took part in his death or who looked the other way? Is them we who live today and horribly miss the mark? Does them cover every human that ever existed or will exist, who took a virtual part in his crucifixion?

Jesus and God are one, right? So, when he asks for them to be forgiven, is he already answering his own request? Can Jesus request this for them and not have it granted? So, why does he even ask, and why is he talking to his father who is him?

So, in asking His Father to forgive them, are they forgiven? I’m dying to know…did he actually forgive them?

What did he forgive them for? If he actually forgave them, does this mean that he forgave them for just this one thing - his crucifixion? Does it mean that he forgave them for anything that they did up to that point? Does is mean that he is asking them to be forgiven, in general, for generally not knowing what they are doing? Does it mean that he forgave them for everything?

How potent is this forgiveness of them? Does it have a statute of limitations that expires after a certain time in life or point in history? Is it confined to a certain people who have done or said or believed a certain thing? Does it cover a certain degree of bigness or hiddenness of sin?

What is it that they didn’t know they did? Did they think that he wouldn’t really die and he’s forgiving them for their ignorance? Did they not realize that he was really Messiah, so he was letting them off the hook? Did he forgive them because they got caught up in the moment and messed up? Did he forgive them for just generally not getting it?

And what did they do that he was forgiving them for? Is it that they crucified him? Is it that they didn’t protect him? Is it that they didn’t understand him? Is it that they mess up…a lot…when it comes to him?

What does this mean for us? Are we them? If so, are we forgiven? Does that just extend to those of us who believe that we are forgiven by what he said? Does we include those who still don’t know what they are doing?

Lord, will you please help us know the extent, the scope, the length, the breadth, the inclusiveness, and the power of your forgiveness so that it can be the reality we live from?

This Sunday, at the Crossing we will join an ancient tradition, designed and set aside by God to bring His people together for something really significant. We’ll be coming together in a Sacred Assembly, a common occurrence in the Old Testament (go here to view a bible search of “sacred Assembly: www.biblegateway.com ). As part of his Jewish heritage, Jesus Himself would have participated in sacred assemblies and, this Sunday, His Spirit will be with us, sharing in ours.

As the Sacred Assembly approaches, consider a fast from Saturday morning until the Crossing on Sunday. This will help with physical and spiritual preparation. As you make your way to the Sacred Assembly, we ask that you try to set aside your distractions, self-consciousness, and cynicism so that you are open to everything God wants to say and do among us.

The sacred assemblies described in the scriptures served a few different purposes. All of them are as important now as they were then. Here are some of the things God has in mind when He calls people to gather in sacred assemblies:

Remembrance: a Sacred Assembly is a time to recall all that God is and has done for us…not only as individuals, but especially as a community, and as part of a long line of people of faith.

Repentance: Sacred Assemblies are perfect chances to reconsider where our lives are headed and to rethink the things we’ve considered important. It might be that we need to make some changes that take us closer to God. This is the time to do it!

Redirection: God wants to have some say in our lives in this place and time. He is working in specific ways and He wants us to join him. We need to give Him time and space to speak to our future and expect Him to speak! Our future together depends on His leading.

Reconnection: Jesus’ life, death and resurrection made it possible for messed-up people to be in God’s good graces and to experience BIG life. Sunday we’ll celebrate communion and baptism, both expressions that Jesus endorsed to connect us to Him, to each other, and to greater meaning in the Kingdom. If you are interested in being baptized, please send us an email at luminus@zoominternet.net

Restoration: In the book of Romans, it says that the entire “creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” In 2nd Chronicles, God says “I will hear from heaven and will forgive your sin and will your heal land.” God has been working to help us embrace our standing with Him and to accept the healing and role that He has dreamed for us from the very start. The process starts when we believe what He says. The Sacred Assembly is the time to believe together.

Rest: Knowing the make-up of people, God knows that we need time to stop working and relax into His presence. Prepare to let your guard down, absorb the peace and love of God. Allow Him to recharge you. We also encourage you to avoid work the whole day on Sunday. Enjoy it. Let work wait until Monday.

We hope that you will put aside any inhibitions or reservations you have and that you will join us on Sunday to experience all of these things. We have this burning feeling that this is a vital time in our lives together as Jesus’ body. We don’t want anyone to miss out on what God has in store for us!

(if you’d like to hear portions of the Sacred Assembly, go here and select the Sacred Assembly audiocast: Audio )