Our Pierced Savior
Scripture:
"And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him."
—Zechariah 12:10 (ESV)
The piercing of Christ on the cross was not just a moment of physical agony—it was the culmination of God’s plan to redeem a sinful and broken world. When we read this prophecy, we are reminded that the crucifixion was no accident. Long before Jesus walked the earth, God foretold the moment when His Son would bear our sins in His body and be pierced for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5).
John’s Gospel specifically says that this verse is fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus. John wrote, “These things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled… ‘They will look on him whom they have pierced.’”
This verse not only prophetically describes the manner of Christ’s death, it also speaks to the response of those who recognize the weight of their sin and the depth of Christ's love. The mourning described is not despair but godly sorrow that leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). It is the Spirit of grace that softens our hearts and opens our eyes to the reality of our need for a Savior.
When we "look on Him whom we have pierced," we see both the cost of our sin and the immeasurable love of God. This vision moves us to humble repentance and grateful worship.
The old hymn “Come and Mourn” effectively describes the kind of response depicted in Zechariah’s prophecy. More recently this hymn has been redone by Indelible Grace (They changed “Jesus, our love,” to “Jesus, our Lord,” which I like better). You can listen to it by clicking on that link. Here are some of the original lyrics:
Come And Mourn With Me Awhile;
O Come Ye To The Saviour’s Side;
O Come, Together Let Us Mourn;
Jesus, Our Love, Is Crucified.
Have We No Tears To Shed For Him,
While Soldiers Scoff And Foes Deride?
Ah! Look How Patiently He Hangs;
Jesus, Our Love, Is Crucified.
How Fast His Hands And Feet Are Nailed;
His Blessed Tongue With Thirst Is Tied,
His Failing Eyes Are Blind With Blood:
Jesus, Our Love, Is Crucified.
Seven Times Seven He Spoke, Seven Words Of Love;
And All Three Hours His Silence Cried
For Mercy On The Souls Of Men;
Jesus, Our Love, Is Crucified.
O Break, O Break, Hard Heart Of Mine!
Thy Weak Self-Love And Guilty Pride
His Pilate And His Judas Were:
Jesus, Our Love, Is Crucified.
A Broken Heart, A Fount Of Tears,
Ask, And They Will Not Be Denied;
A Broken Heart Love’s Cradle Is:
Jesus, Our Love, Is Crucified.
O Love Of God! O Sin Of Man!
In This Dread Act Your Strength Is Tried;
And Victory Remains With Love;
For He, Our Love, Is Crucified.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son, pierced for my transgressions and crushed for my iniquities. Pour out Your Spirit of grace upon me so that I may see the cross clearly and mourn my sin with godly sorrow. Let this vision of Christ’s love lead me to deeper repentance and a life of gratitude. Ame
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