The first thing we should notice in these verses, is the clear announcement loliicli the Lord Jesus Christ makes of His oivn approaching death. For the third time we find Him telling His disciples the astounding truth, that He, their wonder-working Master, must soon suffer and die.
The Lord Jesus knew from the beginning, all that was before Him. The treachery of Judas Iscariot, — the fierce persecution of the chief-priests and scribes, — the unjust judgment, — the delivery to Pontius Pilate, — the mocking, — the scourging, — the crown of thorns, — the cross, — the hanging between two malefactors, — the nails, — the spear, — all, all were spread before His mind like a picture.
How great an aggravation of suff'ering fore-know- ledge is, those know well who have lived in the prospect of some fearful surgical operation. Yet none of these things moved our Lord. He says, " I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off" the hair : I hid not my face from shame and spitting.'' (Isaiah 1. 5, 6.) He saw Calvary in the distance all His life through, and yet walked calmly up to it, without turning to the right hand or to the left. Surely there never was sorrow like unto His sorrow, or love like His love.
The Lord Jesus -Was a voluntary sufferer. When He died on the cross, it was not because He had not power to prevent it. He suffered intentionally, deliberately, and of His own free-will. (John x. 18.) He knew that with- out sheddino- of His blood there could be no remission of