Made Intercession for the Transgressorss
Key
Text
"Therefore
will I divide him a portion with the great, and
he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because
he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he
was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare
the sin of many, and made intercession for the
transgressors." Isaiah 53:12
Fulfillment
"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for
they know not what they do. And they parted his
raiment, and cast lots." Luke 23:34
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The Saviour made no murmur of complaint.
His face remained calm and serene, but great drops of sweat
stood upon His brow. There was no pitying hand to wipe the
death dew from His face, nor words of sympathy and unchanging
fidelity to stay His human heart. While the soldiers were doing
their fearful work, Jesus prayed for His enemies, "Father,
forgive them; for they know not what they do." His mind
passed from His own suffering to the sin of His persecutors,
and the terrible retribution that would be theirs. No curses
were called down upon the soldiers who were handling Him so
roughly. No vengeance was invoked upon the priests and rulers,
who were gloating over the accomplishment of their purpose.
Christ pitied them in their ignorance and guilt. He breathed
only a plea for their forgiveness,--"for they know not
what they do."
Had they known that they were putting to torture One who had come to save the
sinful race from eternal ruin, they would have been seized with remorse and horror.
But their ignorance did not remove their guilt; for it was their privilege to
know and accept Jesus as their
Saviour. Some of them would yet see their sin, and repent, and be converted.
Some by their impenitence would make it an impossibility for the prayer of Christ
to be answered for them. Yet, just the same, God's purpose was reaching its fulfillment.
Jesus was earning the right to become the advocate of men in the Father's presence.
That prayer of Christ for His enemies embraced the world. It took in every sinner
that had lived or should live, from the beginning of the world to the end of
time. Upon all rests the guilt of crucifying the Son of God. To all, forgiveness
is freely offered. "Whosoever will" may have peace with God, and inherit
eternal life. Back |
