Forgiven At Calvary

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15

D.L. MOODY
I can imagine Jesus saying: “Go search out the man who put that crown of thorns on my brow; tell him I will have a crown for him in my kingdom if he will accept salvation; and there shall not be a thorn in it. Find out that man who took the reed from my hand and smote my head, driving the thorns deeper into my brow. Tell him I want to give him a scepter. Go, seek out that poor soldier who drove the spear into my side; tell him that there is a nearer way to my heart than that. Tell him I want to make him a soldier of the cross and that my banner over him shall be love.”

ERWIN LUTZER
Please reread the words of Moody printed above! His preaching was vivid, immediate, and filled with colorful insights. Little wonder he connected with the common people; like Jesus, he was understood by those who knew they were sinners and humble enough to accept the hope of the gospel.
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Those are the words of the One who chose to become a victim of history’s greatest crime. Jesus prayed out of love for His enemies. When was this prayer prayed? It was prayed at the very time His nerves were not yet dulled, when the pain was the freshest, when the jolt of anguish that went through His body was the sharpest. These were His first words while on the cross.
Jesus commanded us to take this message of hope to a broken world. Yes, even those who crucified Him could receive His forgiveness. Let us find the greatest of sinners and tell them that they, too, have a place in heaven if they will repent and believe the gospel.

PRAYER
Father, grant me the ability to forgive others even as you have forgiven me. Let me remind people that great sin is not a barrier to great grace.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What can you learn from Christ’s love for His enemies?

With the above in mind, for whom is the Gospel message and the goodness of God’s love?