Some people blame the Jews for Jesus' death. Others blame Pilate and the soldiers. But according to the Apostles' Creed, Jesus "suffered for us under Pontius Pilate." For us! Our sins are what killed him.

No, it was not the Jews who crucified,

Nor who betrayed You in the judgment place,

Nor who, Lord Jesus, spat into Your face,

Nor who with buffets struck You as You died.

No, it was not the soldiers fisted bold

Who lifted up the hammer and the nail,

Or raised the cursed cross on Calvary's hill,

Or, gambling, tossed the dice to win Your robe.

 I am the one, O Lord, who brought You there,

I am the heavy cross You had to bear,

I am the rope that bound You to the tree,

The whip, the nail, the hammer, and the spear,

 The blood-stained crown of thorns You had to wear:

It was my sin, alas, it was for me.

                        (by Jacob Revius, trans. Henrietta Ten Harmsel)

Jesus suffered man's cruelty and God's wrath and hell's horror on the cross because of me. Only when I accept the blame can I also accept the benefits. And what great benefits! Through his death, Jesus rips apart the curtain that separates us from God. He shakes us loose from death's grip and raises us to eternal life (Matthew 27:51-53).

PRAYER--Was it for crimes that I have done you groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity, grace unknown, and love beyond degree! How I hate my sin, Lord Jesus! And how I love you! Amen.