“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matt. 27:46
“It is finished.” John 19:30
Lord Jesus, on the calendar of grace, we call today “Good Friday”—a day for careful surveying, humble reflection, and grateful adoration. For you—the “Prince of Glory,” died for us. We were dead in our sin, but alive to our sinful nature—having neither God, hope, nor heavenly citizenship (Eph. 2:1-3; 11-12).
But through the riches of our Father’s love and mercy, you came to us, lived for us, died in our place, and purchased us with the currency of grace (Eph. 2:4-10).
On that first “Good Friday”, these three cries came from your heart. First, “Father forgive them!” Then, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The first cry required the second, and the second secured the first. Together, they silence our hearts, and ignite our cry:
“Amazing love! how can it be that Thou (Jesus), my God, shouldst die for me?” You, Lord Jesus—eternally full of grace and truth, gave yourself for us—we who were desperately full of need and void of all hope.
Jesus, then came your third and final cry. “It is finished!” Your last words are our first and forever words of freedom, peace, and joy. You accomplished everything necessary to save us from our sin, and reconcile us to God once-and-for-all. Now and forever, we cry out:
“No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine!” Because you were fully forsaken, we never will be. You took our sin, and gave us your righteousness. Hallelujah, what a Savior, you are, Lord Jesus! Hallelujah, what a salvation you have given us! We. Are. Grateful. So Very Amen, indeed.
