3.19 - THREE PRAYERS

THREE PRAYERS In Luke 23:1-56 we have all account of the trial and the crucifixion of the Son of God. I read to you a part of that story, beginning with Luke 23:32 : "And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

I read again from Acts 7:57, in which we have a record of the death of Stephen: "Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord.... And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, saying, Lord Jesus receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep."

Then in 2 Timothy 4:14-16 : "Alexander, the coppersmith, did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works. Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me; I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge."

I have read to you three prayers, one from Christ, one from Stephen, and one from Paul. Regarding these I would have you think for the time allotted.

Some years ago a man by the name of Sheldon, of Kansas City, wrote a very fine little book, the name of which was, "In His Steps." Its very name carries the idea that is described and splendidly discussed throughout the same. I think it would pay every one in this audience to read that little book and meditate, and to take all introspective view as to whether or not he is thus trying to walk and to follow. The author outlines the life of Christ, picturing that straight and narrow path so wonderfully described by Him and then appeals to the reader, by the way of questioning, "Are you walking in His footsteps, are you always doing good?" My friends, the purpose of Christ Jesus upon this earth was to show humanity how to live, as well as how to die. He was a great philosopher and theorist respecting life’s affairs. Not only did He teach things in theory, but His very life was the practical application of these principles enunciated time and again.

Along at the first of His career He preached that memorable Sermon on the Mount, in which he said: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Was Christ a mere theorist when He taught this? My friends, Paul also taught lessons like this. Romans 12:19-21 : "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if shine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." "If any man does not have the spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Those are the statements and theories announced by the Man of Galilee, but they were said, friends, when there were no enemies gathering round about. As yet his pathway was clear, and the sky was unclouded. As long as everything is lovely, matters going our way, it is such all easy thing to be sweet-spirited, kindly disposed and wonderfully charitable in our relationships toward our fellow men. But when we get up against it, face to face with the carrying into effect of our own philosophies, there is, many times, a different story to be told.

I wonder how it shall be in the study of the life of Him who said, "Love your enemies, pray for them that hate you, and do good unto them that despitefully use you, and persecute you."

I read to you from Luke 23:34, which is another part of the story pertaining to the life of Christ. He is standing at the very end of His earthly pilgrimage, with life’s conflicts largely past, its relationships to Him all in the background. He has now withstood the vile epithets, the fiery darts, and poisonous words intended to bring sorrow and grief to His heart. With all the rebukes, the troubles, the storms, and the sarcastic things cast at Him now in the past, Christ comes to make good the declaration of that Sermon on the Mount. He is standing at the time of the enemy’s triumph. The dark hour to Him has come. He is in the custody of the opposition, with death glaring Him in the face. On the tree of the cross He hangs suspended, and receives the sneers and the jeers of a cruel world. Will He make good that which He taught yonder on the Mount? Will He verify those principles He enunciated to the disciples, or shall He fail?

It is the climax of the Savior’s career. Hence, in the darkest hour, measuring up to the full application of every philosophy suggested, and of every theory taught, surrounded by the triumphant enemy, that now rejoices and joys at His humility, Christ comes out gloriously, lifts His voice heavenward, and says, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

How great the contrast, how noted the distinction from the time when thousands gathered around Him and were swayed by His matchless power! How wonderful the converse of the time when He raised the dead, opened the eyes of the blind, unstopped the deaf ear, and walked upon the bosom of blue Galilee! Those were hours of grandeur and of glory, and of earthly renown, but now, the reverse. He was in the hands of those who hated Him and who would despitefully use Him. Even now He could have pronounced a curse upon them and, possibly, have wrested himself from the cross. But, knowing the hour had come, He gracefully yielded to the will of the enemy, and simply said: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

Jesus lived upon the earth. He left us all example, that in His footsteps we should walk, and, therefore, the recitation of these matters is to us timely, and I trust may be fitting and emphatic to all who chance to hear. Was that prayer characterized by a spirit of earnestness? Did the Father above lend a listening ear to that last petition of His dying, agonizing Son?

I tell, you, friends, if I thought that prayer was not heard, I would never have the courage any more to lift up my voice to the Father of Spirit? with any hope of response from the eternal world. If I were to decide that the prayer of the Christ was unheard, it would destroy my faith that I now have in the Book of God and in the promises of Holy Writ. But I want to ask again: was that a conditional, or all unconditional prayer? When Christ raised that voice and said, "Father, forgive them," did He mean regardless of any act on their part? Was it implied that they might go ahead in their wayward, wicked, murderous way, and still Christ expect God to forgive them? Has it ever been a principle of God’s dealings with humanity to forgive men unconditionally?

I believe, upon second thought, that you are constrained to say that that prayer must have implied certain conditions with which those for whom He prayed had to comply. So far as I know, have right or reason to believe, there is not a statement in all the Bible announcing forgiveness to humanity independent of its submission to the terms that have been interposed.

Therefore, I am going to conclude, in perfect harmony with the entire Bible, that when the Christ prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do," there was all implication that time might be granted, and opportunity be afforded when their hearts should be touched by the story of redeeming love, when they would come to a state of penitence, bow in submission to heaven’s will, and thus bring about the answer to the prayer of the Son of God. This petition was made on the cross. That afternoon He died, was buried, and three days passed, but that prayer was not answered. He rose from the dead, walked about among men, demonstrated His identity beyond the shadow of a doubt for a period of forty days, at the end of which that prayer back yonder on the cross had never been answered by the God of heaven.

Another ten days go by, and Jesus Christ bids good-bye to the things of earth, wends his way back to the gloryland, and dispatches the Spirit from heaven to earth. As yet, that prayer uttered 50 and 3 days ago has never been answered by his heavenly Father. The day of Pentecost finally comes. Jews, devout men out of every nation under heaven are gathered to attend the memorable feast. On that day the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit; a great demonstration was made; multitudes gathered together with various charges and different explanations, all of which failed to explain.

Finally Peter, unto whom the keys of the kingdom had been given, gained the attention of that wonderful audience, and spoke to them, for the first time, the story of the resurrection of the Son of God. The gospel was that day first proclaimed, and, in that sermon, there is evidence that this prayer is not yet answered, for Peter said unto the same crowd that gathered round about the cross, "Ye men of Israel, hear these words. Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as you yourselves also know: Him being delivered by that determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain."

There was the same company who some time ago had stood about the cross, and had put to death the Son of God. Here they are today, on Pentecost, with their hands dripping with the guilt that attached to the greatest murder and the greatest tragedy recorded on the pages of history. Peter brings home to them their guilt by saying, "You have taken, and by the hands of lawless men, have crucified the Son of God." He drove home that thought to their hearts. He made them feel guilty in the presence of God Almighty, and then opened to them the possibility of forgiveness through that same Jesus whom they had executed.

Hence he climaxed that wonderful address by saying, "Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ." As yet, that prayer, prayed by the Son of God, when he said, "Father, forgive them," has not been answered. And when they cried out, having been cut to their heart, and said, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" there is again the implication that they were not yet free from sin, that they had not been forgiven, that the prayer of the Son of God had not been answered. In response to their query, Peter said, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, for the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all them that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

"And with many other words did Peter testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation."

Then what? "They that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added about 3,000 souls." My friends, the very minute they rendered obedience unto Christ as stipulated and demanded, there was a glad response from high heaven, and the prayer in their behalf, fifty and three days ago, was answered. Angelic hosts in heaven rejoice together with those upon the earth, because those Jews, bloodstained by the crucifixion of the Christ, now stand forgiven. Christ’s prayer in their behalf is answered.

Friends, that is the teaching of God’s book from beginning to end, and there has never yet been a single prayer answered in behalf of humanity, unless man had done his best to comply with the conditions made obligatory upon him.

Therefore, it is my duty today to pray for my fellows everywhere. If I walk in His steps, I must so do.

We sometimes embody a great truth in our petitions. While praying for all mankind, we say, "Lord, we cannot consistently ask Thee to save them in their sins, but grant them time and opportunity to hear again the story of the cross, that by it their hearts may be touched and tendered, and that they may repent of their sins, and obey from the heart that form of doctrine which has been delivered."

After this manner I pray for sinners today. I know that God will not save them as they are. I know that Christ has never promised to pardon any man, until that man submits to heaven’s terms. My prayer, like that of the Son of God, is that they may have the privilege of hearing the gospel story, that, as were those Jews on Pentecost, those who hear me may likewise be cut to the heart, that I may have the courage and the boldness to announce to them that which Peter preached. I know that when I do this faithfully and they hear, believe, and obey, God will pardon their sins and add them to that church bought by the blood of His Son.

There is no other way of salvation outlined in God’s book. Implicit and absolute obedience is demanded of all men. But from that now I turn to the second. Stephen was a man filled with the Holy Spirit. He was selected as one of the first deacons to look after the daily ministration to some Grecian widows. He was a man able to preach the gospel of God’s Son with power. Such preaching always elicits criticism and bitterness on the part of those who are to the contrary. He was finally accused of speaking blasphemous words against Moses and against God. They came upon him, caught him and brought him before the Council. The elders and scribes were told that he had said that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy this place and change the customs delivered by Moses. To all the Council, his face appeared as it had been the face of all angel. To these charges Stephen was privileged to reply. Never has there been so much history crowded into so short a space as was recited by Stephen on that occasion. He went back to Abram in Chaldea and traced the story of the patriarchs as they descended into Egypt and spent 400 years in captivity. He told of their deliverance by Moses. He recited the story of Aaron and his golden calf. He mentioned the building of the tabernacle and the temple, but assured them that now the most high God dwelleth not in temples made by the hands of men. He concluded by saying: "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and in ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye." When they were conscious of the fact that they could not successfully answer his speech, they gnashed upon him with their teeth. They cursed him, said all manner of evil against him; surged about him, and led him out through the eastern gate that, today, bears his name, down to the foot of the hill by the side of the brook Kedron, opposite the Garden of Gethsemane, and there those pious Jews laid aside their long robes and stoned him to death. Just here we are introduced to a young man, for the first time, by the name of Saul, who held their garments, and gave consent to that atrocious deed enacted. And as Stephen, underneath their blows, bowed down in the very agonizing hour of death, he forgot not that he should walk in the steps of his Lord and Master. Perhaps he had witnessed the death of Christ and had been wonderfully impressed by His last moments. He now determined to duplicate the spirit of Jesus in behalf of his own enemies. So he lifted his voice unto the Father, and said, "Lord, lay not this sin unto their charge." And having so said, he fell asleep. My friends, how came him to manifest such a spirit? The answer is: he had learned what it means to be a Christian. The influence of the Master had made a lasting impression upon him. He remembered the Savior’s teaching and was determined to carry it out. He walked in His steps. Therefore, he died praying a similar prayer. But I wonder if Stephen meant for God to overlook their crime regardless of their penitence? Was his prayer without implied conditions?

Stephen knew then, just as well as we know now, that the gospel demands obedience on the part of humanity. He understood full well just when those who killed the Christ were pardoned. His prayer implied that those who stoned him might come to themselves. "Lord God, grant that they may hear the story of the Christ, that they may recognize their great sin, that from it they may turn away, and walk in obedience to heaven’s demands."

But, friends, that is not all. There was a young man by the name of Saul who watched this great tragedy. At that time he was not interested in Christianity. He was then a young Jew, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, who believed that Jesus Christ was all impostor and that every one following in His footsteps ought to be put to death. But in spite of that, he was evidently impressed with the way and manner in which Stephen died. Here was a despised Christian praying for those who put him to death. Such a scene could not be forgotten.

Finally Paul himself was led to accept the Christian faith. On the road to Damascus he was arrested by the shining of a great light brighter than the noonday sun, and there he heard the words of Christ who said, "Saul, Saul, why persecutes" thou me?" The result of that arrest led to the ultimate conversion of him who had held the clothing and given consent to the stoning of Stephen some time before. From that moment Paul championed the faith which he once sought to destroy. He became the most outspoken character to the Gentile world in behalf of Christianity. It was he who raised aloft the banner of Christ, and carried the flag of high heaven into the region of Asia Minor, wherein he had formerly lived. It was none other than Paul who heard the Macedonian call, and gladly responded. He set out across the waters of the Aegean Sea and planted the banner of Christ on the foreign field for the first time.

He led a wonderfully checkered career. His experiences were such as you and I will never be called upon to endure. He counted all else but loss that he might win Christ. Having suffered, sorrowed, and sighed, he came at last to the end of life’s journey. The past stands ever present before him. Life’s battles, conflicts, and toils are practically over. He spends his last days in all underground prison and there pens his final message to his faithful son. In 2 Timothy 4:14, he said: "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil; the Lord reward him according to his works; of whom be thou ware also: for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge."

I ask you, my friends, where did Paul learn how a Christian should die? He never saw the Christ crucified, but he had seen Stephen suffer death. While at that time he was not a member of the body, there was all indelible impression made upon him, such as could never be erased. And when he came face to face with his last moment on earth, he duplicated the spirit of Stephen, and, likewise, that of the Master, by praying: "Father, lay not this sin to their account." My friends, if I have not that spirit today, I am none of His. It matters not how much of God’s Word I may speak, or how wonderfully I may proclaim His great truth. I am conscious of the fact that if that same spirit is not mine, and has not become a part of my being, I am weighed in the balances and found wanting. But I want to say this to you: I do not believe that God demands of you and me forgiveness until there is evidence of penitence on the part of those who have sinned against us. I must differ perhaps, with some of my own brethren, when I announce to you that God has never promised to forgive any man short of penitence on that man’s part. I have got to be made over before I could do such.

I cannot forgive a man who is still my enemy, obstructing my progress, hindering my onward march, blighting my happiness, and destroying my pleasure upon the earth. So long as that man persists and continues, it is not in me to forgive him. God does not ask it, and the Bible does not require it. The Saviour said in Luke 17:3, "If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him." I am glad I can do that. In my relation to my fellows, I have got to be mighty careful to know whether or not my own skirts are clear. There is great danger of my thinking the other fellow is wholly wrong. When convinced and assured that I have done all on my part that duty demands, then I must stand in that attitude of forgiveness, or else God’s spirit does not abide in me.

Let me insist that those of you who have sinned against your fellows manifest a spirit of penitence, and if they will not forgive you, the fault and the responsibility is theirs.

Such is the Christianity of the Bible. It is surely the spirit of Christ that prompts Christians to pray for the salvation of the world. Let us hope that our friends and foes, if such there be, may hear the gospel, repent of their sins, confess the Christ, and be buried in the sacred ordinance of baptism from which they can rise with sins forgiven and the hope of eternal life theirs to share.

If any of you have never confessed your wrongs, it is none too early for you to begin.

If you have never bowed in submission to the authority of high heaven, nor rendered obedience unto the gospel of Christ, this is the hour you should do so. While today you are here in the enjoyment of reasonable health and strength, come and stand upon his promises. Life is wonderfully uncertain. Death is absolutely sure. Tragedies are happening all around us. Today is, therefore, the day of salvation. If you would hear His voice, harden not your hearts, but respond to His call. Come saying, "Lord, speak, thy servant heareth. Command, and I will obey." Put yourself in that attitude where God and man may forgive you. If you have sinned against the Church; if you have sinned against some man; repent of that wrong, and, to the extent of your penitence, there is not the shadow of a doubt but that God will forgive you. Any Christian will do the same thing, and thus you may go on your way rejoicing.

We are going to stand together once again and sing to you the gospel invitation. While we sing that song gladly respond to the call of Him who said, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."