THE ANSWERED PRAYER.
Now consider the answer to his prayer. He got more than he asked, just as every one does who asks in faith. He only asked Christ to “remember” him; but Christ answered:
“To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise!”
Immediate blessing—promise of fellowship—eternal rest; this is the way Christ answered his prayer.
DARKNESS.
And now darkness falls upon the earth. The sun hides itself. Worse than all, the Father hides His face from His Son. What else is the meaning of that bitter cry:
“My God! my God! Why hast Thou forsaken me?”
Ah! It had been written, “Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Jesus was made a curse for us. God cannot look upon sin: and so when even His own Son was bearing our sins in His body, God could not look upon Him.
I think this is what bore heaviest upon the Savior’s heart in the garden when He prayed:
“If it be possible, let this cup pass from me.”