Series: RED LETTER DAY
WEEK 2: Father Forgive Them
Text: Luke 23:32-34 NIV, Isaiah 53:12 NIV
Pastor Tom Cogle
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with (Jesus) to
be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there
they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the
other on his left. Luke 23:32-33 NIV
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they
are doing.” Luke 23:34 NIV
…….For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the
transgressors. Isaiah 53:12 NIV
THE BEFORE CHRIST RESPONSE
- YOU OWE ME AND JUSTICE IS MINE.
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
Matthew 5:38 NIV
THE AFTER CHRIST RESPONSE - GOD FORGAVE ME SO I’LL FORGIVE YOU.
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 6:12 NIV
Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who
decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had
borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors
was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 He couldn’t
pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife,
his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt. 26 But the
man fell down before his master and begged him, `Please, be
patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ 27 Then his master was filled
with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.
Matthew 18:23-27 NLT - THE DEBTOR CAN’T ALWAYS REPAY YOU.
In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him
millions of dollars. 25 He couldn’t pay. Matthew 18:24-25a NLT - THE OFFENDED CAN ALWAYS SHOW MERCY.
Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him
and forgave his debt. Matthew 18:27 NLT
CONSEQUENCES FOR UNFORGIVENESS
`You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you
pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow
servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ 34 Then the angry king sent
the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.
35 That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to
forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.
Matthew 18:32-35 NLT
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE OFFENSE SEEMS TOO BIG? - JESUS’ LOVE IS GREATER THAN ANY OFFENSE.
Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had
mercy on you?’ Matthew 18:33 NLT
14 If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father
will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father
will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 NLT
TALK IT OVER
What has someone forgiven you of that you are most grateful for?
How have you been aware of being imprisoned by your own
unforgiveness in the past? How has withholding forgiveness
poisoned your relationships? Who are the people you haven’t
forgiven that you would commit to pray for regularly? - Break free from the prison of unforgiveness.
- Start by talking it over with someone this week.