When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. (Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”) –Luke 23:33-34
How could they? It is so easy for me to look down on those who oversaw Jesus crucifixion. I can easily point the finger at those hardened Jews who called for Jesus death that day. How could they commit such a terrible act of injustice? I distance myself from that day. “I would have stood up for Jesus”! “It was back then afterall, I wasn’t even born”! My attempts at self-defense are exposed, because I am guilty as well. Had I been there that day, I would have been just another voice in the crowd calling for Jesus death.
Jesus went to the cross for all of us.
He went to the cross for those who were there on that day 2000 years ago, and for everyone who lived before or after. He went to the cross for me, and he went to the cross for you. We are all in need of a Savior. Jesus knew this, and so he went to the cross. He would have gone whether the soldiers forcefully compelled him to go or not. Jesus went to the cross to die because he knew it was the only way for you and me to be saved.
I am so thankful he went to the cross for me.
Lord, help us to fully embrace the forgiveness you lived out when you went to the cross for us. We are to be the conveyers of that forgiveness in the world. Make us worthy vessels of your grace and mercy.
Dave for Wellspring © 2008
