“And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ . . . And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ . . . When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished,’ and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” Luke 23:34; Matt. 27:46; John 19:30
Devotional Thought For The Day
It is interesting that the evangelists, the writers of the Gospels, include statements of Jesus that are unique to their account. In this way we end up with the seven sayings of Jesus during His crucifixion. Not to diminish the importance of every one of these utterances, I have picked three of the really significant ones for your consideration this morning; I hope that you will have opportunity to consider the meaning of this blood atonement for the sins of the whole world more carefully and deeply today within the worship of the church of Jesus Christ, and that in so doing your minds will be further enlightened as to the true heart, mind, and will of God our Heavenly Father and of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The first utterance, praying forgiveness for the very people who were crucifying Him, shows what this whole debacle was all about – God’s mercy, grace, redemption, and atonement for the sins of the world. Jesus has prayed the same for us as our “intercessor” with the Father many times [Rom. 8:34]. The consequence of His crucifixion is that “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” [Eph. 1:7] From beginning to end, this is what Jesus was focused upon, our forgiveness through His work of redemption, and His mind and heart are revealed even in the most grueling parts of His suffering.
The second utterance reveals what was actually taking place, what it actually cost Christ, what He truly suffered to make this atonement for the sins of the whole world, and to provide full and complete forgiveness and cleansing for all of our sins. He was separated from the Father – a true mystery indeed; but this is the just and proper punishment for sin, even one sin. Think of all the horrific sins committed in human history, those of Hitler, of Stalin, of Idi Amin, of Pol Pot, of nations moving in and displacing indigenous populations, slavery, the persecution of the early church, pogroms directed at Jews and other minorities. Multiply these over the centuries and include all thefts, murders, violence, abortions that occur, and demonic false religion that lures people into hell through false prophets, and then also the common sins of anger, malice, slander, sexual immorality, drunkenness, greed, selfishness, pride, arrogance, and hatred of others that we have all engaged in. How wrathful and angry must God have been? How much must Christ have suffered to make proper and total atonement for all of these sins? How much wrath must He have absorbed to fully extinguish God’s anger over human sin, all of it? It is truly unfathomable, but it was truly atoned for.
The third utterance reveals the status of mankind’s redemption, of Christ’s work, and how the Father now views all of mankind, that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them.” [2 Cor. 5:19] It is finished, done, completed, and reality – covering all of human history prior and all future human history until the Last Day. This is the firm and completely sure foundation of our faith and trust in God, that He has done this for us, reconciled Himself to us at the cross of Christ, so that we need not fear sin, death, or hell, but know that we have eternal life in Christ Jesus. In the midst of such great travesty these most blessed Words were uttered – revealing the heart of Christ and of our Heavenly Father, His love for us, and His will to save us and to bring us to the knowledge of the truth.
All that is left is for us to utter our thank You, our praise and glorification of Jesus our Savior, and humble awe, joy, and gratitude to our Heavenly Father for so great a gift, His salvation. Again, I hope that you will join the family of God in singing your own thanks and praise to God later today. Nothing could be more important or appropriate on this day set aside to remember one of the greatest days in the history of mankind, and for your life. May we take in and absorb these things, that our minds clearly see the mind of God, so that the power of His love creates us anew to reflect that same love to others. A blessed Good Friday to all!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, we cannot ponder enough the greatness of Your love for us, and what You have provided for us in Your suffering, death, and resurrection. All gratitude, thanksgiving, and praise that we give seems shallow and insufficient in view of the magnitude of Your gifts. But You know our hearts, and You intercede for us, and You joyfully receive our praise and confession in spite of our weakness, so we give You thanks and praise as best we are able. Guide our thoughts today that we humble ourselves to be remolded and reshaped by Your great love. Amen.