Bearing Suffering and Sin

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him.  And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe.  They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands.  Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.”  So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.  Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!”… So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.  So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.  There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.  (John 19:1-5, 16-18)

Ecce Homo, behold the Man! Pilate says.  He hangs whipped, bloodied, and beaten.  His brow drips blood and sweat.  The cruel cross is the glorious throne of your dying King.  He dies for sin, big and little alike.  Consider the weight of that glory, of His holy sufferings for you.  He empties the cup of God’s wrath to the dregs for you.  Love is costly.  But all is paid by this dying King.  “It is finished,” hear Him cry.  Your sin goes with Him.  He wins the world’s salvation.  Trust this Man, this Jesus!  His holy sufferings are your salvation.

O dearest Jesus, grant that in Your holy wounds I find forgiveness of my sin and peace of conscience. Amen.

Around the Word Devotions, Apr 3, 2015

        Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
        In my place condemned He stood;
        Sealed my pardon with His blood.
        Hallelujah!  What a Savior!