28 Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'
“When with an eye of faith we behold Christ crucified we ought to weep, not for him, but for ourselves. The death of Christ was a unique thing; it was his victory and triumph over his enemies; it was our deliverance, and the purchase of eternal life for us. And therefore let us weep, not for him, but for our own sins, and the sins of our children, which were the cause of his death.” Matthew Henry
Believer, we must remember with grief what our sin caused our Savior. He delivered us from our bondage to sin making us alive with Him, triumphing over Satan by the cross. Paul tells us in Colossians:
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Col 2:13-15 (NIV)
Prior to the cross, man was separated from God – alienated, dead by his sins yet not annihilated – even the unsaved bear God’s image – cut off from spiritual life yet in bondage, retaining human life. The power that He bestows upon believing sinners resurrects us to spiritual life in communion with Him. Praise Jesus!
13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Col 1:13-14 (NIV)
“See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down.” Isaac Watts
16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NIV)
We must always remember the high price of God’s promise ever considering the excruciating condescension of a God who would become flesh, subjecting Himself to the temptations of all the fallenness of man yet remaining sinless, suffering all its pains even to the point of dying its worst death – and that all being accomplished with humility. One can scarcely imagine an earthly king doing this act for one of the least of his citizens yet the Creator of all heaven and earth did it for us – amazing love indeed! His passion was extravagant and lavish – just as Scripture tells us – His desire is to overflows our cups! He did not come to bestow upon us pittance rather plenty.
20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. 2 Cor 1:20 (NIV)
“I’m forgiven because You were forsaken, I’m accepted, You were condemned. I am alive and well, Your Spirit is within me, because You died and rose again. Amazing love, how can it be that You, my King, would die for me? Amazing love, I know it’s true. It’s my joy to honor You, in all I do, I honor You.” Chris Tomlin
11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever. Psalms 30:11-12 (NIV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Our appropriate response is always praise!