Christian Reflection and Prayer

Lenten Devotion

"So he delivered Him over to them to be crucified. So
they took Jesus, and He went out, bearing His own
cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which
in Aramaic is called Golgotha" (John 19:16-17).

Read John 19:16-30.

Jesus shows remarkable strength in His first three
hours on the cross. Even while He is suffering for our
sins, His focus is not on Himself, but on the people
around Him. Seeing His enemies He pleads, "Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do"
(Luke 23:34a). He promises the repentant criminal at
His side, "Today You will be with Me in paradise"
(Luke 23:43b). He provides a disciple to care for His
mother after He is gone "Woman, behold, your son!"
and to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!"
(John 19:26b, 27b).

Then at noon comes the darkness. Luke tells us the
sun stopped shining. Jesus hangs alone in the
darkness silently suffering God's wrath at the sins of
the world. Finally, after three hours He cries out in
agony, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
(Matthew 27:46b).

By three in the afternoon, it is over. God the Father has
unleashed His full wrath-not a single one of our sins
has gone unpunished. John tells us, "Jesus, knowing
that all was now finished, said, (to fulfill the Scripture)
'I thirst'" (John 19:28). And "When Jesus had received
the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished,' and He bowed His
head and gave up His spirit" (John 19:30). There is
nothing left for us to pay. We are free, and the doors of
heaven are open wide to us through Jesus' life, death
and resurrection.

Jesus offers His last confident prayer: "Father, into Your
hands I commit My spirit" (Luke 23:46b).

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, on the cross You suffered the wrath of God
for all of our sins, and paid the price in full. Receive our
thanks and gratitude for Your amazing sacrifice and the
life that is ours because of Your death. Amen.

Written by Rev. Wayne Palmer