And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”Luke 23:34 NIV)
Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”Matt. 27:46 (NIV)
“It is finished.”John 19:30 (NIV)
Dear Lord Jesus, for years I struggled calling the day of your crucifixion “good.” That there had to be a day when you would be made sin for us isn’t good at all. But that you would freely and gladly give yourself for us on the cross is never-to-be surpassed goodness—quintessential greatness. We praise, bless, and adore you.
From the cross, and from your heart, came these two impassioned cries. “Father forgive them” (Luke 23:34) and “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). The first required the second. The second secured the first. Together, they stagger our hearts and fuel our worship.
And then there’s the third cry. “It is finished.” Nothing is left undone for the securing of our salvation and for the transformation of our world. As our substitute, you have perfectly and fully reconciled us to God, once and for all; and nothing will ever separate us from his love. You became sin for us, that in you, we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21)—the Just for the unjust, the Beautiful One for the broken ones, the Lamb of God for the rebels from God.
Lord Jesus, a millions years into our life in the new heaven and new earth, we will still be filled with awe and gratitude, for the greatness of the gospel and unsearchable riches of your grace. Because you were fully forsaken, we are forever forgiven. Because your death exhausted God’s judgment against our numberless sins, we now live robed in the gift of your perfect righteousness. We bow our heads in humility and raise our hands in joy. So very Amen we pray, in your all-glorious, all-grace-full name.