THE UNKNOWN DEPTH OF SIN

LUKE 23:3

A. "FATHER, FORGIVE THEM; FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO."
  1. The dying words of the Son of God:
    1. "Forgive them"
    2. "They know not what they do"
  2. This prayer by our Lord shows:
    1. The depth of God's love!
    2. It shows further the divine understanding of the depths of sin not comprehended by sinners.
B. THE PRAYER OF OUR LORD IN HIS DYING MOMENTS ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY IS MOST REVEALING
  1. It reveals the unknown depth of sin:
    1. "Out of the depths have I cried" - Ps. 130:1
    2. The great mystery of iniquity - 2 Thess. 2:7
    3. The depths of Satan - Rev. 2:24
  2. Man, unaided by the Holy Spirit, is incapable to comprehend the exceeding sinfulness of sin:
    1. That is why God has made provision for the sin of ignorance - Lev. 4:2; Num. 15:24; Acts 3:17
    2. That is one great reason for God's long-suffering with the sinner, "for they know not what they do" EXAMPLES -
      1. Saul of Tarsus - 1 Tim. 1:13
      2. Many of the Jews - Acts 3:17; 13:27
  3. That does not, however, change the nature of sin:
    1. It is enmity toward God - Rom. 8:7; Jas. 4:4
    2. It is rebellion against God's law - 1 Sam. 15:23; Rom. 8:5-8
    3. It is the gateway to eternal ruin - Rom. 6:23; Gal. 6:7
  4. The exceeding sinfulness of sin can be understood only:
    1. In the light of our Lord's crucifixion on the cross of Calvary.
    2. "He made him sin who knew no sin" - 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13
    3. God spared not His only Son, but gave him for us all - Rom. 8:31
    4. That bitter cry, "My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken me" - reveals the terribleness of sin - Matt. 27:46
C. THANK GOD FOR THAT UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSIONATE PRAYER OF OUR SAVIOUR
  1. It is the door of hope for the sinner:
    1. That was true of the penitent thief on the cross - Luke 23:42-44
    2. That was the hope of Mary Magdalene, out of whom the Lord cast out seven devils - Luke 7:47
    3. That was the door of hope for the harlot Rahab - Ps. 87:4
    4. And that was the gate through which Saul of Tarsus went - 1 Tim. 1:15
    5. And that is the door of hope for you and me! Eph. 2:11-16
  2. That portion of our Lord's prayer is:
    1. Our only defense against the accusations of Satan - Rev. 12:10; Zech. 3:1-5
    2. It is our defense against an accusing conscience - 1 John 3:20, 21
    3. It is a blessed assurance that our sins are forgiven, and that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ our Lord - Rom. 5:1-3; 8:1-6, 31-33
    4. It is the divine incentive to come boldly to the throne of grace to receive help in time of need - Heb. 4:15, 16


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