Luke 23:33-34 (KJV)

33. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

The last words uttered by someone before he or she dies are very powerful, important, and revealing. One man, Herbert Lockyer, wrote an entire book on the subject of Last Words of Saints and Sinner. Today we begin a study on the last words of Jesus Christ.

The first of seven sayings is a prayer. How significant! His public ministry opened with prayer (Luke 3:21) and His ministry is concluding in prayer. He has left us an example. His hands no longer can minister -- they are nailed. His feet no longer carry him -- they are nailed. He can no longer teach His disciples -- they have fled. But He can pray.

1. The people for whom He prayed . . . "Father, forgive them . . ."
   These people are those who crucified him. They are His foes; they are His enemies.
   1. Nothing or no one is outside the realm of prayer.
      Are you burdened? Does it seem a waste to pray for that son who has rebelled or a daughter who has grieved your heart? Does their case seem hopeless? If Christ prayed for his murderers, then surely we can have encouragement.
   2. God is in the habit of answering the prayers of His people.
      The people who shouted "crucify Him" are the same people who heard Peter preach at Pentecost. 3,000 people saved! (Acts 4:4). Why were 3,000 saved? Good preaching? No! Great worship? No! PRAYER. Prayer is power "Delight thyself in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thy heart" (Psalm 32:4).
2. The person to whom He prayed . . . "Father, forgive them . . ."
   To the woman who washed His feet with her tears in the house of Simon Jesus Christ said, "Thy sins are forgiven" (Luke 7:48). To the man sick with palsy He said, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matthew 9:2). In these instances and others, Jesus Christ forgave sins. Now He says, "Father, forgive them." Why?
   1. Forgiveness is a divine prerogative.
      The Scribes correctly said, "Who can forgive sins but God alone?" The Scribes wanted Him crucified because He did and said what only God could really say.
   2. Christ died as our human substitute.
      On the cross Christ was no longer in the place of authority to forgive sins. He was our substitute! In a human court of law when one is guilty, the judge must choose between two alternatives: enforce the penalty of the law (justice), or disregard the requirements of the law (mercy). God remains merciful and just.
3. The purpose for which He prayed . . . "Father, forgive them . . ."
   1. These people were blind.
      They were blind to the fact of the enormity of their error regarding Jesus Christ. Yet what they did to Him was fulfillment of God's word. Isaiah said, "And he was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12).
   2. These people needed a blessing.
      "Love suffereth all things, is kind, beareth all things, endureth all things" (I Corinthians 13). There's no greater blessing than to know His forgiveness.