Is it nothing to you?

Easter is almost here again. And, again, an important question remains. “Is it nothing to you?” 

The man around whom Easter revolves is the person asking the question. He is still asking it – out of love towards those for whom he endured such agony and shame. And rose from the dead.

 

“I find no guilt in him.” [Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor of Judea]

“Crucify him! Crucify him!” [The Jerusalem chief priests and officers]

“I have sinned by giving away innocent blood.” [Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him]

“He saved others. Let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” [The rulers in Jerusalem.]

“Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.” [Jesus on the cross.]

“Truly, this man was the Son of God.” [The Roman Centurion who crucified him.]

 

All you that pass by, to Jesus draw nigh:

To you it is nothing that Jesus should die?

Your ransom and peace, your surety He is;

Come, see if there ever was sorrow like His.

He dies to atone for sins not His own;

Your debt He hath paid, and your work He has done.

You all may receive the peace He did leave,

Who made intercession, "My Father, forgive!"

For you and for me, He prayed on the tree;

The prayer is accepted, the sinner is free.

That sinner am I, who on Jesus rely,

And come for the pardon God cannot deny.

My pardon I claim, a sinner I am --

A sinner believing in Jesus Christ's name.

He purchased the grace which now I embrace:

O Father, You know that He died in my place.

(Charles Wesley, 1707-1788)