Tim Keller | March 16, 1997
We’re looking at the life of Jesus, and we’ve seen he’s come. He’s been betrayed. He’s been sentenced, and now he’s walking to be executed. And Jesus meets three sets of people on the way: the daughters of Jerusalem, the crowd at the cross, and these two thieves who were crucified with him.
There is a controlling thought throughout all three, and it’s seen in the prayer Jesus prays to his Father. “Father, forgive them. They don’t get it.” You see, here are all these people around Jesus. They’re watching it, and they don’t get it. They don’t know what’s going on.
They’re all spiritually asleep, but one is spiritually awake. Everybody looks around and cannot understand, but he prays a prayer, and the prayer is answered on that day with one person. We have a whole slew of people who are spiritually unconscious and one person who is spiritually conscious. Which are you?
This Month's Featured Book
In The Prodigal God, Tim Keller examines the way Jesus presents the parable to speak both to those who run from God and to those who try to earn his love by being good. It reveals the heart of the gospel—a message of hope for both the rebellious younger brother and the judgmental older brother, and an invitation for all to experience God’s grace.