Warren Taylor - The Cross: Forgiveness, Compassion & invitation to Grace - Communion, Sep 27, 2026

I am been meditating on Jesus physically on the cross this last week, and I believe it gives us a prophetic sneak peek into what is available to us now as his children.

Jesus was betrayed by Judas.

Jesus said that the betrayer was one of the disciples, but he never revealed his name.

He never condemned him.

The crowd scoffed at Jesus as he was on the cross.

They said, If you are the Son of God, save yourself.

Jesus' response, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they're doing.

Jesus looked down from the cross and he saw his mother Mary, crushed, overwhelmed, and distraught.

His response, he called to his disciple John.

And he said to his mother Mary, take John as your son.

Jesus was crucified with two criminals.

There is a belief that they were revolutionaries or terrorists, as we would probably say now, in action against the Roman Empire.

There's no evidence they read the Bible.

There was no evidence they knew how to pray.

Yet one criminal was changed by the atmosphere surrounding Jesus.

He asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into his kingdom.

A polite request that maybe he wasn't ready for the answer that he received from Jesus.

For Jesus said this amazing response, Today I assure you that you will be with me in paradise.

All my Father has for me is also for you.

Jesus at the cross refused to condemn.

Jesus at the cross forgave others.

Jesus at the cross looked with compassion upon those hurting.

And Jesus at the cross invited the destitute, the immoral, the lonely, and the beaten down into the kingdom of God.

What a precious, precious Jesus that we serve.

As you take your bread and wine today, let us rejoice over one who has paved the way, one who has forgiven us, one who has released us from condemnation, and one that has invited us into the kingdom.

In all recounts, we don't deserve to be there.

It's just out of his goodness.

Amen.