128. Prayer Of Our Savior From The Cross.

Prayer Of Our Savior From The Cross. The Prayer as recorded.—Matthew 27:45-46.

It was the design of the Atonement—deep and unfathomable though the mystery—that our blessed Lord should endure all that was possible for human nature to suffer, both spiritually and physically. In the touching language of Isaiah, “He bore our griefs and carried our sorrows; he was wounded for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was laid upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.’’

Darkness deep and heavy brooded over the earth for the space of three hours. “During the time the darkness lasted, our Lord appears to have relapsed into his garden agony. It seems to have been part of the Divine plan, that he should again labor under the hiding of the Father’s face, and again be oppressed by the consciousness of the weight and burden of that sin in man for which he laid down his life” (Dr. Kitto). Terror deep and heavy is in the hearts of the witnessing multitude, and the rending rocks and trembling earth proclaim, that if “A God bleeds, he bleeds not for a worm.” In agony the depth of which no finite mind can fathom—for it was the wrath of God on millions concentrated on our great Savior’s head—the mysterious prayer is made. Angels are about him in that hour, but “I feel the farthest stars Are all stricken and shaken, And I know a shadow sad and broad Doth fall—doth fall On the vacant thrones in heaven.

Voice from the cross—My God, my God, Why hast thou me forsaken!”