Williams: Hard were the nails and cruel

Wednesday, February 22, 2023
    Ash Wednesday
Meditation:
    “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
    “Barabbas,” they answered.
    “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked.
    They all answered, “Crucify him!”
    “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
    But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
    —Matthew 27:21-23 (NIV)
Quotation:
Hard were the nails and cruel,
    To pierce that form of grace;
But now they hold the compass
    Of heaven in its place:
The hope of Adam’s children
    flows from that awful hour,
When earth beheld its Maker
    Abused by human power.
    ... William Williams (1717-1791), in Sweet Singers of Wales: a story of Welsh hymns and their authors, Howell Elvet Lewis, London: Religious Tract Society, 1889, p. 50 (see the book)
    See also Matt. 27:21-23; Job 42:5-6; Ps. 33:22; 119:81; Joel 2:25; Matt. 12:21; 1 Cor. 1:18; Tit. 2:11-13
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, You have prompted my repentance. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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