As we sang the song "How deep the Father's love for us" during this morning's Good Friday prayer meeting, I was reminded of Jesus' unconditional and sacrificial love for us. Even if it caused Him such deep pain, even if it meant that He had to bear every stripe on His body, even if it meant that He had to carry the heavy burden of all our sins...
父啊，赦免他们，因为他们不知道他们在做什么。
Those words hit me straight in the heart. Even when He was suffering on the cross and in searing pain, we were still on His mind. We are whom He cares for and loves deeply. Can you imagine that? That love. The rich, merciful, gracious, unconditional, sacrificial, never forsaking kind of Love.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for dying on the cross for us. For loving us even though we are so unworthy. That even though we do not deserve such great love of Yours, yet You see us as treasure in your eyes. I pray that we learn to live our lives well for You, to be a living testimony of Your great love for us. To let the people around us, and even myself, understand that the longing and yearning we have to fill the gap in our hearts cannot be filled by material gains or humanly love. But it can only be filled by You and Your unconditional and sacrificial love for us. And I pray that for whatever time we have left on earth, we use it to the fullest for You, that we finish our race well. So that at the end of the day, when we come before You again, You will say to us "You've done well, my good and faithful servant. Welcome home now."
Amen.
How deep the Father's love for us.
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
