“Jesus said, “Father forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
The time had come. The beatings were done, the humiliation couldn’t hurt Him, and the angry mob spread out below Him. Jesus, nailed to the cross, held no animosity toward any of them—greater love has He than no man. Jesus freely gave Himself up, taking all our sins upon Himself, though He knew none. He took away our sin and guilt–past, present, and future. Yet, many still struggle under the weight of their sin refusing to give it up. Why?
Don’t you know that you have already been forgiven—even before you ask? It is done! It is finished! Christ paid the price that day on the cross. Blackness came over the land. The curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the common folk tore from top to bottom, lightning flashed, thunder roared as the sins of the world were put to death and Jesus died. No greater event has ever taken place in all of creation, yet many of us do not have a clue of the meaning of it all and continue to struggle with our burdens.
Jesus cries out with the voice of God, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 28, 30) Jesus gave Himself up for you that you might live life abundantly, joyfully and filled with love. Receive it. Accept it. Believe it. Renew your relationship with Him for your sin is forgiven. Does this mean you will never sin again? NO! You and I sin every day and we need to ask forgiveness. Yes, our sin is forgiven and our relationship is restored, but our fellowship is broken with our day to day sins for which we bow our heads in humble prayer and ask for forgiveness.
Dear Lord, help us to see beyond the grief of Good Friday and the aloneness of Saturday to the joy that comes when we love You and each other as You have loved us. In Jesus’ name. Amen
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