lenten journey, day 39 — a prayer for the lost

Today, as I contemplate the beauty and the horror of the cross, my heart is heavy. Not just because my sin—my self-gratifying, self-centered, self-obsessed sin—put Jesus there. Not just because my name was inscribed in each of his bloody wounds. Not just because Jesus endured complete separation from the Father so that I could experience complete oneness with him.

Even though these things grieve me to my very core, my heart is most heavy because there are so many who do not know that this sacrifice was made for them, too.

Because Jesus died, the curtain in the temple has been ripped from top to bottom. There is now free access to the Holy of Holies for all who come to the Father through Jesus. Oh thank you Jesus! May all the children of God come pouring through the temple doors to celebrate the work that you accomplished on their behalf!

Jesus, how can I thank you for what you did on that cruel cross? My words are not adequate, my worship too shallow. You have given so much, what can I give in return? All I really have to offer is my heart, Jesus. May it be an acceptable offering. Lord, the ransom you paid on the cross was so very costly—more costly than I can ever truly understand. Would you open the eyes of those who have yet to see that they are the dearly beloved children for whom that ransom was paid? Would you show me how to live a life that conveys your love and grace to the lost? Jesus, I’m so very sorry that you had to endure the unthinkable for those you love. But I am so very thankful that you did. Here’s my heart, Lord. All of it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" — Mark 15:37-39

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. — Ephesians 5:1-2