God's Covenant of Redemption
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Analyzing the glorious prayer Jesus makes from the Cross, for the redemption of those who will believe.
Text: Luke 23:32-38
Date: 02/01/2026, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 220
Description:
After the chaos of the march through Jerusalem and the chilling warning Jesus gives the women along the way, Luke's narrative turns to the almost surreal scene at Golgotha. The details of the physical crucifixion itself are greatly compressed as Luke hurries on to the first of seven "words" that Jesus speaks from the Cross. We will switch the order a bit and concentrate first on the seeming explosion of evil, as multiple groups around Jesus erupt in virulent, jeering, and inappropriate rejoicing over His suffering. In the midst of this, Jesus beseeches His Father to forgive them, for they are ignorant of the scope of their sin. We will carefully analyze His prayer, paying particular attention to who "them" and "they" refer to. We will ask ourselves why Jesus remained on the Cross, examining the difference between what He "could" do and what He "would" do. Ultimately we will realize the reason is due to a covenant the Triune God made within Himself long before the world was created to save "them" and "they" through His Covenant of Redemption.
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Options:
I. Introduction, John 6:37-39.
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 23:32-38.
A. Context
B. The surreal scene at Golgotha.
1. The Crucifixion, vs. 32-33.
a. The criminals, vs. 32.
b. The compressed Crucifixion, vs. 33.
i. The location.
ii. The sparse details of the Crucifixion, John 20:27.
iii. Between two criminals.
1) The image of guilt, 2Cor. 5:21.
2) A fulfillment of prophecy, Isa. 53:12.
3) An image detestable to the Jews, Gal. 3:13; 1Cor. 1:22-23.
2. When evil rejoices, vs. 34b-36.
a. Casting lots, vs. 34b.
i. The fulfillment of Scripture, Psa. 22:18.
ii. That Jesus has been stripped.
b. The reaction of the multitude, vs. 35-37,39.
i. The people watched, vs. 35a, Luke 23:47.
ii. The rulers scoffed, vs. 35b.
1) A visual mockery, Psa. 22:7.
2) Revealing their (lack of) character, Isa. 42:1.
3) An ironic taunt, Psa. 22:8.
iii. The soldiers mocked, vs. 36-37.
iv. The criminal reviled, vs. 39.
c. The difference between "could" and "would", Matt. 26:53; John 18:11.
3. The King of the Jews, vs. 38.
a. The thought behind the inscription, John 19:22.
b. Completing the surreal scene.
C. Jesus' prayer for redemption, vs. 34a.
1. The first "word" from the Cross, Luke 23:34,43,46; John 19:26-27,28,30; Mark 15:34.
2. Analyzing the prayer.
a. What it says about Jesus, Luke 6:27-29, 17:3-4, 22:42; John 4:34, 6:38; Matt. 27:13-14; Isa. 53:7.
b. Determining those Jesus is praying for.
i. Questions concerning authenticity.
ii. Looking at the words.
1) A prayer spoken to the "Father", Matt. 18:35.
2) A prayer to "Forgive", Luke 17:3-4.
iii. Noticing the pronouns, "Them ... they".
c. Conclusions, Num. 14:18.
i. The mechanics of forgiveness, Rom. 8:7-8; 1John 4:10; John 3:3, 6:44; Eph. 1:5-7, 2:8-9.
ii. Prayers for His elect, Matt. 24:40-41, 27:54; Acts 2:41, 4:4; John 17:6,9.
III. Application, 1Pet. 2:9; Eph. 2:10; Rev. 5:9-10; John 6:37.
IV. Conclusion
