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by Linda Veath

To ponder something is to consider it carefully, to meditate on it. And to do so with care and thoroughness. While it can be done any time, it’s special when it’s done during Lent, when we focus our time on what Christ did for us. With Holy Week approaching, the old hymn “Jesus, I Will Ponder Now” is a good one to ponder.

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. ~ John 3:16 NIV

Jesus, we will ponder now …….

……. with the Holy Spirit’s help, may we see Your holy passion, Jesus, as we’ve never seen it before. May we cherish the image of Your suffering, pain, and death.

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Surly he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. ~ Isaiah 53:4-5 NIV

Jesus, we will ponder now …….

……. the sacrifice you made. Distress, anguish, deep affliction. Whipped, spit on, crowned with thorns. Nailed to the cross, separated from Your Father. Make us know that it was our sin that took you to the cross. We are the cause of Your crucifixion.

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We love because He first loved us. ~ 1 John 4:19

Jesus, we will ponder now …….

……. and ask your forgiveness. May our grieving show true repentance for what we have done. Forgive us when we bring shame to You in our unholy living. May we shun every sinful pleasure and let your cross disarm our fear. Thank you for forgiveness won by the slaying of Your Son. Compassionate and loving God, we thank you.

[That we] may give You love for love! Hear [us], O [our] Savior. That [we] may in heaven above Sing Your praise forever. (verse 6b)

And now may your Holy Week be a time of pondering Jesus’s sacrifice in anticipation of His Resurrection victory on Easter.