Perfect Fellowship with the Father

“Throughout His six hours on the cross—from 9 AM to 3 PM—Jesus never lost His sense of Sonship. He entered the cross with words of affirmation: “”Father.”” He endured suffering when He cried, “”My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”” And He expired committing His life to the Father: “”Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.”” Through every moment of agony, Jesus stayed in perfect fellowship with the Father.

This first statement, “”Father, forgive them,”” is a plea, a prayer Jesus offers to the Father. It demonstrates His identity with the Father as the Son of God. Jesus is telling us from the cross why He came and what He can do for all—He came to forgive. He came to save people from their sins, to save people far from God, including those who tortured and crucified Him.

Jesus died like no other. He didn’t die in His sin but for sin. He didn’t die because of His own sin but because of the sins of others—yours and mine. God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. With arms open wide on that cross, Jesus is saying, “”I love you and I will forgive you if you come to Me.”””