English (United States) 
"An Act of Love" - Meditations of Lent
How thankful we are, Father God, for a crucified Redeemer. Nothing in heaven or earth is such an amazing wonder as this; nothing can compete with it for excellence.
May all the many charms of sin be overcome by this ravishing love, which bubbles up in every drop of our Redeemer’s blood. How can we, with thoughts of the cross alive in our hearts, sin against so much tenderness, compassion, and grace, and all other perfections of You, our God, which sound so loud in our ears from the cross of Jesus? Shall we consider Him hanging there to deliver us from hell and stain, and retain any desires to walk in the way which led Him there?
Can we take any pleasure in that which caused so much pain for our best Friend?
Can we love that which brought a curse better than Him who bore the curse for us?
Can we study Christ crucified and still walk on in sin, as if He suffered to purchase a license for it rather than the destruction of it?
May the consideration of this death incline our wills to new desires and resolutions. May it stifle that luxury, ambition and worldliness which harass our souls. May we not rush into iniquity through the wounds of Christ.
Hearing His dying groans, may we not cherish that for which He suffered.
- Martin Luther (1483-1546)