True Contemplation

The first of today's reflections on the Cross comes from Martin Luther. I have excerpted it from Nancy Guthrie's collection of writings in her book, Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, which I recommend for anyone wanting to read a broad selection of authors. From St. Augustine to John Piper to Adrian Rogers, it's in this book in the form of short essays, articles, etc.

Here is Luther:

"Let us meditate a moment on the passion of Christ. Some do so falsely in that they merely rail against Judas and the Jews. Some carry crucifixes to protect themselves from water, fire, and sword, and turn the suffering of Christ into an amulet against suffering. Some weep, and that's the end of it.

The true contemplation is that in which the heart is crushed and the conscience smitten. You must be overwhelmed by the frightful wrath of God who so hated sin that he spared not his only begotten Son. What can the sinner expect if the beloved Son was so afflicted? .... Ponder this and you will tremble, and the more you ponder, the deeper you will tremble.

Take this to heart and doubt not that you are the one who killed Christ. Your sins certainly did, and when you see the nails driven through his hands, be sure that you are pounding, and when the thorns pierce his brow, know that they are your evil thoughts. Consider that if one thorn pierced Christ you deserve one hundred thousand.

The whole value of meditation of the suffering of Christ lies in this, that man should come to the knowledge of himself and sink and tremble. If you are so hardened that you do not tremble, then you have reason to tremble. Pray to God that he may soften your heart and make fruitful your meditation up on the suffering of Christ, for we of ourselves are incapable of proper reflection unless God instills it."

I realize this sounds condemning, but let's remember that it's Friday, and the King hangs on the Cross for our personal sins, our personal rebellion against a Holy and Just God. He took on the Father's wrath and inexorable hatred against sin. In deep anguish our Christ bore our iniquity. So today, read this and tremble, but remember, Sunday's Coming.