Bible

Indeed, everything revealed in Scripture about Deborah indicates she was the ideal, anointed leader in an age when such leaders were extremely rare. Clearly, her leadership focus was in the civil arena, but her inclusion among Israel’s judges as a prophetess, judge, commander-in-chief, and model of righteousness is compelling evidence that women can and should preach, teach, and lead.[16]

As proud as I am of my kids’ parts in the play, though, I want to share with you the thing that I am most proud of.

Having seen what Jesus offered, there was no way Peter and the others could be satisfied simply going back to their old way of life.

We have no idea where Simon was by that time, but Simon’s legacy of faith and ministry lived on in his children, the eminent apostle, the churches that were planted as a result, and ultimately in us. And it all went back to that moment when Simon picked up Jesus’ cross and carried it for awhile.

The tax collector was clearly humbling himself. Everything about his prayer indicated a sense of brokenness and inadequacy. He knew that he was a sinner. He knew there was no way he could fix his sin. And so he looked to God for forgiveness, and in his mercy, God granted it.

Jesus was right. As he breathed his last, death was defeated. The sting that causes death, sin, was overcome. We are enabled to live life as more than conquerors (Romans 8:37) because, as Jesus said, “It is finished” indeed.

If Jesus could tell the criminal hanging on the cross that he would be with Jesus in paradise today, what is stopping him from saying the same thing you?

If I am honest, I must admit that, in such a situation, I would scream in agony, plead, argue, or perhaps even fight back. If I had Jesus’ power – remember, he healed the sick, raised the dead, and commanded the storm – I expect I would call down fire from heaven. My prayer would be, “Father, cook these people!” Yet, as the clank of the hammer echoed still, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive.”

Jesus’ hands and feet were pierced with nails. He was hanging on a cross. Every breath sent excruciating, searing pain through his entire body. He was going to die. Yet, he still had the presence of mind to watch for his mom, and as Christians, we must do the same.

Throughout the gospels, Jesus repeatedly said and did things for the benefit of the people around him, suggesting that he was perhaps doing the same thing here, and I would submit there are two things we may glean from Jesus’ final, one-line prayer.