"FATHER, FORGIVE THEM . . ." . . . and HE Did.
This series of Lenten / Passover Meditations will reflect the 3rd Hour Prayer ( 9 a.m. ) Station observed by the Early Christians. Today, many liturgical churches continue to observe these ancient prayer hours. They were based upon the prayer hours in the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Morning Prayer came at the time of the Morning Sacrifice in the Temple, the very time that The LORD JESUS was nailed to the Cross.
3RD HOUR MORNING PRAYER
Heavenly FATHER, we come before YOU at this 3rd hour of the ancient day, the hour of the Morning Sacrifice in the Temple . . . that same hour that Your Beloved SON+, the LAMB+ of GOD that taketh away the sin of the world, was offered up on the Cross for our sakes.
We thank YOU for the Great Drops of BLOOD HE+ shed in the garden of Gethsemane, after praying all through the night . . . then facing the men who had come with swords and clubs to violently take HIM+.
Thank YOU, O Holy FATHER, that Your Beloved SON+, as the perfect SON+ of GOD, revealed Your power, saying “ I AM,” causing the armed band of men to go backward and fall to the ground .
Yet, HE+ did not use this great power for HIMSELF+, revealing HIMSELF+ to be the obedient and perfect SON+ of Man . . . still loving His+ disciples to the uttermost, HE+ requested the armed men to “Let them go,” and thus, His+ frightened disciples could flee away.
For the humiliation HE+ endured for our sakes, we give YOU thanks . . . and also, for the answers that HE+ gave to those who accused HIM+ wrongfully.
Heavenly FATHER, we thank YOU for the times HE+ gave no answer at all to His+ accusers, as a Lamb led to the slaughter and as a sheep before his shearers is silent.
We remember the scourging HE+ unjustly received from Pilate’s hand . . . after being mocked, slapped, and beaten by the Temple guard . . . and then Herod’s men . . . and then by the Roman soldiers, giving His+ back to the smiters and His+ cheeks to them that plucked out the hair.
Recalling that HE+ hid not His+ Face from shame and spitting, we thank YOU that by HIS+ Wounds we are healed. We remember the chastisement of our peace was upon HIM+.
HOLY FATHER, thank YOU for Your Beloved SON+ Whose+ most noble Head bore the Crown of Thorns and which same sacred Head was struck with a reed, His+ Face with hands and fists.
We remember His+ refusal of the mixture of the myrrh and wine, fulfilling His+ Word to His+ disciples that HE+ would no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until HE+ drank it new with them, in His+ FATHER’S KINGDOM.
And Who+ ,at that 3rd Hour of the Ancient Day, bore the wood of the Cross through Jerusalem to Golgotha and was nailed to the wood of the Cross and lifted up from the earth, as HE+ had foretold, that HE+ might draw all unto HIMSELF+.
+ + +
We thank YOU that at that time
HE+ uttered those words,
“ FATHER, FORGIVE THEM
for they know not what they do.”
While nearby, soldiers cast lots for His+ garments.
+ + +
Yes, the soldiers were well-aware of their orders and they were knowingly "just doing their job."
HOWEVER . . . they did NOT know WHO+ they were crucifying. They did NOT know HE+ could have vanquished them in a second.
They did NOT know HE+ could have INDEED COME DOWN FROM THE CROSS before their very eyes !
They did NOT know HE+ was The Only-Begotten SON+ of GOD.
. . . SON+ of the LIVING GOD, in Whose hand was their very next breath.
We hope they found out
. . . in time.
+ + +
We praise YOU and thank YOU, HOLY FATHER,
for Your Beloved SON+, The LAMB+ of GOD,
Our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
that takes away the sins of the world,
Who+ made a full, perfect , and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the WHOLE world . . . for everyone who comes to HIM+ in repentance and Truth.
Amen.
Here endeth the order of Morning Prayer
at the 3rd Hour of the Ancient Day.
+ + +
No comments:
Post a Comment