A song:
And Can it Be That I Should Gain? – Charles Wesley
And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died he for me, who caused his pain?
For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That thou my God, my God, shouldst die for me?He left his Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race!
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For, O my God, it found out me.
Amazing love! how can it be
That thou my God, my God, shouldst die for me?
As Jesus hung on that cross he uttered these words “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34 (NRSV). Those words, in their immediate context, were uttered for the people present at his illegal trial, torture and crucifixion. They were uttered for the criminals either side of him. They were uttered for the people who taunted him from the ground. They were uttered for the people who gambled for his clothes. They were uttered for the men who drove the nails in. Those words reverberate throughout history and they speak to us.
In your life, what do you need to be forgiven for? What would it mean for you to place it at the foot of that cross where those words were uttered? Today, take those words on board. Accept that forgiveness. Allow today to start with a clean slate and allow yourself to consider the wonder of what it means to walk a life free of condemnation. At this moment, do not dwell on the wrongs that have been done to you and what these words mean for that, simply accept them for yourself. Take that step. Step into the space beyond condemnation and step into new life – the resurrection.
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