Have you heard this phrase? It is the command to surrender. It denotes that the one so doing is vanquished. We use the word with varying meanings. "Taking a part" is spoken of as "having a hand in the matter." Withdrawal from participation is said to be "washing the hands" regarding it. Pilate sought thus to be clear of guilt in the condemnation of the Lord Jesus.
It is a sobering fact that the hands of the first man born into this world were stained with his brother's blood. Indeed, the page of history has been written in blood.
The great central figure of history is the culminating act of man's heart and hands, when they nailed the Lord of Glory to the cross. The coming of the Lord Jesus is the central fact of history. B. C. and A. D. proclaim the fact. The cross is the crowning act of man's wickedness. Peter, charging those directly responsible, said, "Him,... ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain." Acts 2:2323Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: (Acts 2:23).
Such was the world's answer to the love of God made known in His Son. By that act the world was condemned. "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." John 3:1919And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19).
This concerns you, my self-righteous friend. You have a hand in it. Your attitude to the Lord Jesus and His death declares this. Does His cross mean anything to you? Paul, the erstwhile hater of Christ, could say, "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Much has been written in a sentimental way of the sufferings of Christ. It was the hatred of man's heart, the wickedness of man's hands, that nailed the Savior to the tree. Man did his worst:—God did His best. But "the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain." Psa. 76:1010Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain. (Psalm 76:10).
The expression of deepest hatred became the display of boundless love. When man had done all he could (remember, he is held responsible for his act) God declares forgiveness to all who will accept His Son as their Savior. Truly we can say, "out of the eater came forth meat!"
If you own your guilt and confess His Name, all the blessing is yours now. Your past will be closed forever. The present will be illumined with the light of God's love. The future will be secure and bright.
If you refuse to accept God's Son, you rank yourself among those who cried, "Away with Him." You turn from the only way of salvation. You expose yourself to God's righteous judgment! All who refuse to bow in grace shall bow in wrath. With open arms and outstretched hands the Lord Jesus welcomes you to Himself today. Come, ere it be too late!