Forgive me, Jesus, but I just can’t look.  As I read the gospel accounts of the last hours of your mortal life, I still can’t bring myself to “watch” some moments—those telling of the cruelest atrocities inflicted on your person and of the foulest indignities heaped upon your head.  I dare not linger there.  I must cut the scene short and hurry on.  I cannot bear to witness the full panoply of agonies that You endured…for the sins of others, for the sake of others.  I cannot even make mention of them (they leave me truly speechless).

Again and again the remorseless savagery of your enemies sucks the wind from my lungs, forcing me to gasp.  I can’t fathom the depth of your suffering nor take its height or breadth.  I simply can’t grasp the dimensions of the pain that You felt nor of the love that made You willing.

How can I emulate your selflessness and courage, when I do not understand them?  There is no analog, no parallel in me.  How could You, the most loving, gentle and innocent lamb ever born—become sin for us?  The limits of imagination are too small and cramped to contain your shock and revulsion.  The mind reels at the ingeniousness and audacity of God’s plan, and at the staggering repugnance that the sinless Son had to overcome to make it work. This spiritual struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane was so much greater than battling the natural mortal fear of death by torture.

Yet somehow, You considered taking our place in punishment a trade worth making. You took our guilt and hung suspended between earth and heaven, a living lightning rod for the outrage and fury of Almighty God.  But this was not the worst of the terrors that Calvary held for You.  You dreaded most the excruciating moment when the Father’s holiness would compel Him to separate Himself from You, the bearer of our sin, and turn His back.

You had always enjoyed the closest, fondest, tenderest and most intimate relationship with the Father, and then…You were suddenly forsaken, left utterly alone.  The wrenching, rending astonishment and grief were completely outside Your experience.  I can’t even conceive of it.

I know it’s cowardly and shameful that I cannot bear to look too closely at your torment, despite the fact that You went through it all for us, for ME.  It is only that my every breath screams, “Unclean!” Every beat of my pulse shouts, “Unworthy!”  I’m so sorry, Lord, but the truth is, I still can’t bring myself to watch You die—not even in my mind’s eye—precisely because You did it for me.

One day, when I am in your presence, Jesus, I will see Your scars, which You have chosen to keep as eternal badges of highest honor.  Perhaps I will even be able to bring myself to touch the imprints of your physical wounds, secure in the knowledge that Your divine nature was not marred.  Your bodily resurrection proves that You are alive and well, inside and out, and that Your mission to take away our sin is fully accomplished.  Your triumphant ascension and return to glory, even more highly exalted than before your earthly sojourn, shouts your victory.

Thank You, oh thank You, Jesus—my Lord and my God—for paying our ransom price with your own precious blood:

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (I Peter 1:18, 19)

Thank You that by your death, You have enabled us to receive the gift of everlasting life:

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Thank You, for paying the penalty for all:

“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

Thank You, Father, for not treating us as our sins deserve, but instead sending your one and only Son to die for us:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Thank You for sending Jesus into the world to save, rather than condemn it:

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17)

Thank You, for assuring us that if we confess our sins to You, You are legally entitled to forgive us [because the price was fully paid by Jesus] and You can be trusted to do it, because You are true to your word:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)

Thank You, that since You always keep Your promises to us, we can believe:

 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13)

Thank You, for your mercy and grace (undeserved favor):

“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” (II Corinthians 9:15)

Thank You, that:

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (Romans 1:16)

Thank You Lord, for making it clear that getting right with You is a matter of the utmost urgency, demanding our immediate attention:

“But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.” (Psalm 69:13, emphasis added)

“Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee…” (Isaiah 49:8, emphasis added)

Lord of Heaven and Earth, please draw to the Lord Jesus, those who have never humbled themselves and accepted the pardon your Son suffered and died to give them.  May they repent of their sins and turn to Him today.  May they call on the name of the Lord and surrender their hearts to Him now, right now, before it’s too late.  I know that You stand ready to receive them, Father.  For Jesus’ sake, welcome them with open arms.  Amen