Reflection: The Blindfolded

It’s zero hour. You’d think Jesus was completely spent. But capture this focus: here, stumbling on the rocky road recently carpeted with palm leaves, here comes bent and bloodied Jesus channelling a surging crowd. Far from Hosannas, there’s an aching hum. A whine of lamenting women. Surrounded by the people he was dying to save, Jesus turns to the tearful women and with tenderness, tells them whom to really mourn.

Don’t cry for me. Grieve for your own sin. Beat your breasts for your babies.

 Judgement is coming to all these unseeing onlookers: enemies, soldiers, thieves, blaspheming crowds, and religious leaders. They’re all guilty of offending God but he’s dying to save them.

Forgive them, Father. They’re all guilty for not knowing what they’re doing.

The crux of the matter here at the cross is not to feel sorry for Jesus. …The point is to feel sorry for our sin…. if we don’t, we have good reason to weep. * Here at zero hour hear Jesus’ warning: Judgement days are coming for those who’ve spurned the Saviour; those who haven’t mourned their sin.

Prayer:

Christ of tender mercy and righteous justice, open many blind hearts to know their sin and your salvation once-for-all, full and free.Holy Spirit, enlighten and sensitize me to how I offend your holiness. I confess that I’ve sinned in my contemplations, my conversations and my undertakings today (what I’ve done and what I’ve failed to do**). Pause; listen; be specific.

I rest in confident freedom through your costly forgiveness.

*Kevin DeYoung

**Anglican Prayer Book