Thoughts for another day

March 29, 2013.

Today's verse: Lk. 23:34. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

At the moment I write this, 10:23 am, my mind goes back to this time centuries ago in Israel when one Man, was at the scourging pillar, being scourged by Roman brutes with all their strength, for what, perhaps even they didn’t know.  At the center of it all, was the man being scourged whom they called Jesus Christ, who is our God and Savior. 

On Him God had cast the sins of all mankind, in fact, He became sin, for us and therefore, the wrath of God was fully poured out on Jesus Christ.  The result was such vehemence and hatred of the Jews for Jesus that they didn’t desist when Pilate brought Him to the judgment seat, His body broken, His face puffed and swollen and His whole form disfigured by the many stranded whip which had at its edges, sharp pieces of metal, iron hooks, etc. to tear the flesh off the person being scourged; from their demand that He be crucified.  Their cries bayed for His Blood and ironically, it was His Blood that was to wash away the sins of mankind and therefore, although not explicable, the ferocious rage led to the crucifixion of the Lamb of God, outside the city and probably at the same time as the lambs were sacrificed by the Jews observing the Passover of the Lord as it came down to them from the time of Moses.   

While history isn’t the motive of this reflection and you could find some error here depending on which Biblical scholar you read, putting things in the right perspective is my sole aim and beholding my Savior on the Cross is what I crave for; and even more, my ears tinge with tearful eyes when His Words hit them, ‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do!’  My friend, those for me are the most satisfying and gratuitous Words that filled the chasm created by the sin of the first man and fused once again the pure relationship man had with God.  I go back in time to see Jesus on the Cross and I behold Him in intense pain, bleeding, weeping copiously inside because of the sheer pain, yet looking at me…no not with disdain for what my sins did to Him but with eyes of mercy that say to me, ‘It’s okay, I have done this for you.  Be glad and go tell all about what I have done for you and them and you will find me with you whenever you share this sight with man.’  I pause, then look up and then thank Him…my Savior, my Lord, my All.