In this chapter we have. relation of the blackest and saddest tragedy that ever was acted upon the stage of the world, namely, the barbarous and bloody murder of the holy and innocent Jesus, by the Jews his own countrymen, the best of kings put to death by his own subjects. And the first step toward... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. How unwilling, how very unwilling, Pilate was to be an instrument of our Saviour's death; one while he expostulates with the chief priests, saying, WHAT EVIL HATH HE DONE? No, St. Luke here declares, Pilate came forth three several times, professing that he found no fault in him. W... [ Continue Reading ]
The sentence of death being passed by Pilate, who can with dry eyes behold the sad pomp of our Saviour's execution? Forth comes the blessed Jesus out of Pilates's gates, bearing that cross, which soon after was to bear him. With his cross on his shoulder, he marches towards's Golgotha; and when they... [ Continue Reading ]
There were four sorts of persons which attended our Saviour at his crucifixion; the executioners that tormented him, the Jews that mocked him, the spectators and lookers on, that marked him, and sympathizing friends which lamented him: these last Christ bespoke, WEEP NOT FOR ME, BUT FOR YOURSELVES;... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we see the infamous company that our holy Lord suffered with; TWO THIEVES. It had been. sufficient disparagement to our blessed Saviour, to be sorted with the best of men; but to be numbered with the scum of mankind, is such an indignity as confounds our thoughts: this was designed by the Jews... [ Continue Reading ]
Christ had often preached the doctrine of forgiving enemies, and praying for them; he practises it here himself in. most exemplary manner. Where note, 1. The mercy desired and prayed for; and that is, forgiveness. 2. The person desiring that mercy, Christ, the dying Jesus. 3. The persons for who... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. mighty aggravation of our Lord's sufferings upon the cross; namely, the mocking derision which he met with in his dying moments. As he endured the pain so he despised the shame; cruel mockings was our Lord tried with, both from the common people and from the chief priests; yet the c... [ Continue Reading ]
Here we have. further aggravation of our Lord's sufferings upon the cross, from the company he suffered with, the two thieves who reviled him with the rest. St. Matthew and St. Marks say, they both reviled him; St. Luke says ONE of them reviled; possibly both of them might do it at first, and one of... [ Continue Reading ]
These words are our Saviour's gracious answer to the penitent thief's humble prayer, LORD, REMEMBER ME IN THY KINGDOM, says the thief; TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN MY KINGDOM, says our Saviour. Where note, 1. The immortality of the souls of men is without all doubt: our desires after, and hopes... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. What prodigies in nature happened and fell out at the crucifixion of our Saviour; the sun was darkened at the setting of the Sun of Righteousness; and the veil of the temple was rent; signifying that God was now about to forsake his temple; that the ceremonial law was now abolishing... [ Continue Reading ]