that the sufferer was the eternal Son of God, we are lost in wonder and amazement. And when we reflect further that these sufferings were voluntarily endured to deliver sinful men and women like ourselves from hell, we may see something of St. Paul's meaning when he says, " The love of Christ passeth knowledge/' " God com- mendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Ephes. iii. 19 ; Kom. v. 8.)
We shall find it useful to examine separately the several parts of our Lord's passion. Let us follow Him step by step from the moment of His condemnation by Pilate to His last hour upon the cross. There is a deep meaning in every jot and tittle of His sorrows. All were striking emblems of spiritual truths. And let us not forget as we dwell on the wondrous story, that we and our sins were the cause of all these sufferings. " Christ suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." (1 Peter iii. 18.) It is the death of our own Surety and Substitute that we are reading.
First of all we see Jesus delivered into the hands of the Koman soldiers, as a criminal condemned to death. He before whom the whole world will one day stand and be judged, allowed Himself to be sentenced unjustly, and given over into the hands of wicked men.
And why was this ? It was that we, the poor sinful children of men, believing on Him, might be delivered from the pit of destruction, and the torment of the prison of hell. It was that we might be set free from every charge in the day of judgment, and be presented faultless before God the Father with exceeding joy.
Secondly, we see Jesus insulted and made a laugh-