It was when His friends had failed Him, and His enemies had spent their rage on Him, then, even then, He prayed for thee, tor me:
"Father, forgive them.”
Man had spit in his Maker's face, had crowned with thorns David's Lord and God's anointed One, had nailed Him to the tree; yet none of these things could drive Him to despair of our salvation, nor induce Him to obey their taunting cry, " Save thyself, and come down from the cross.”
No; He had come clown to the cross, and that in order that He might save us. And while His murderers sat with complacency gazing upon Him in their guilt as He hung upon the cross, His prayer ascended to God His Father on their behalf: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
What a construction His words put upon their doings. "They know not." It is so natural for us to hide the faults of a friend, or to put the best construction upon the worst things done by those we love; but none save He could ever speak like this concerning His enemies. Oh, how intensely He desires our salvation! How He pities while He pleads, “Father, forgive them"! Thank God, His prayer is heard. A Saviour's love prevails, and the sinner that believes in Him is saved by His blood.
Yes; a soldier “with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water'' (John 19:3434But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. (John 19:34)). The Saviour could only procure the pardon for which He prayed at the cost of His own life's blood. “Without shedding of blood is no remission." He gave up His life in sacrifice to meet the holy claims of God, and “The very spear that pierced His side Drew forth the blood to save.”
Surely we get the Saviour's desire granted, His prayer answered, in that touching appeal to sinners, “Be it known unto you therefore ... that through this Man "(Christ Jesus) “is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things " (Acts 13:38, 3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39)). ACT 13:38-3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39)
Then we read, “The veil of the temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom” (Matt. 27:5151And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (Matthew 27:51)) MAT 27:5151And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (Matthew 27:51) This veil was intended to keep man out of God's holy presence, as the flaming sword of the cherubim kept the way of the tree of life in the garden of Eden after Adam had been driven forth. (Gen. 3:2424So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24).) GEN 3:2424So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24)
So long as the veil was up, it was a sign to the sinner that God's justice was not satisfied. But now, thank God, the veil is down, and it is He Himself who has taken it down.
Why? Because His claims have been answered by the work of Christ. The blood of atonement has been shed, peace, is made, and God has rent the veil to assure us that there is now not only a way out of judgment, hut also a way in to His presence.
I remember once being on board a steamer drifting about outside the harbor at Aberdeen. On asking the cause of delay, I was told we were waiting for sufficient water to carry us across the bar and take us in Presently the signal on shore was given, the steamer started, the bar was crossed, and the harbor gained.
The gospel contains better news than the signal on the shore at Aberdeen for the bar was taken away when the "veil was rent,”
and the tide of divine grace runs so high and strong that you need only let it have its own way with you, by saving (like Rebecca of old),
“I will go," when you will soon find yourself, clear reader, in that place of rest and blessedness which Christ's work (not yours) has earned, the place which God desires we should have and enjoy by simply believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.
H. H.