March 25. The Family Altar, F.W. Hertsberger
"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not
what they do." Luke 23:34.
Who can measure the fathomless depths of the pardoning
love which our crucified Eedeemer reveals in this His first word
on the cross? Instead of calling down God's just and terrifying
wrath on His murderers, He pleads for them with His heavenly
Father for mercy. Amazing pity, love unknown, and grace beyond
degree ! But did the Jews not know what they were doing when
they crucified their Savior? No, not to the full limit, else had
they not crucified the Prince of Life. (Acts 3, 17.) But yet were
they without excuse ; for they should have known, seeing that they
had the prophets of old and Jesus Himself to instruct them. It
is therefore wonderful, incomprehensible love and mercy that the
Savior here asks God to forgive them their blood-red guilt. But
was not that the purpose of His coming into the world, of His
lowly life, His vicarious sufferings and death, that He might
obtain forgiveness of sins for all His brethren after the flesh?
Oh, how dearly it cost Him ! But let us ask ourselves : Do we
always know what we are doing when we commit some sin ? Do we
then realize and remember that it cost our Savior His unutterable
agony on the cross to gain for us forgiveness for that sin and
misdeed? Because He also pleads for us, God still spares us,
and forgives us our sins. But, oh, that the love, the wonderful
love which our crucified and pleading Savior has shown us and
daily shows us, might constrain us all to avoid more zealously every
thought of sin and to glorify Him daily in our body and in our
spirit, which He has bought with such a price! (1 Cor. 6, 20.)
Jesus, the Crucified, pleads for me
While He is nailed to the shameful tree.
Scorned and forsaken, derided and curst,
See how His enemies do their worst!
Yet in the midst of the torture and shame,
Jesus, the Crucified, breathes my name!
Wonder of wonders, oh! how can it be?
Jesus, the Crucified, pleads for me!
Lord, I have left Thee, I have denied,
Followed the world in my selfish pride;
Lord, I have joined in the hateful cry:
Slay Him, away with Him, crucify!
Lord, I have done it, oh! ask me not how;
Woven the thorns for Thy tortured brow!
Yet in His pity so boundless and free,
Jesus, the Crucified, pleads for me!
