II. His supports —
In the whole of his Mediatorial work he acted as the servant of the Father" ; in whom he confided, and hy whom he was assured of,
1. Effectual succour —
[The Father had promised to uphold him under all his
sufferings0 and on this promise he relied. Behold,
how repeatedly, and with what assurance he asserts, " The Lord God will help me ! " and with what triumph he defies his bitterest enemies ; " Who will contend with me ? let us stand together : Who is mine adversary ? let him come near to me :" I fear none of their accusations ; for " He is near that justifieth me." I dread not any sentence of theirs; for I know that they cannot finally prevail against me ; "I know that I shall not be ashamed or confounded :" My " strength shall be according to my day;" and therefore, " I set my face as a flint" against all the powers both of earth and hell. Yes, this assurance comforted and strengthened him, under all his trials ; " I have set the Lord always before me : because he is at my right hand, I shall not be movedp." Hence arose that calmness and composure which so astonished Pilate : " How is it that thou wilt not answer me a word: knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and power to release thee ?" No, says our Lord; "thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above."]
2. A triumphant issue —
[Already did he see his enemies vanquished, even when they supposed themselves to have triumphed over him : he saw that in every conflict he should be victorious : and that even his deepest humiliations should be attended with unquestion- able demonstrations of his righteous character. In the midst of his trial, his very Judge was constrained to proclaim his innocence : and, whilst he yet hanged upon the cross, both heaven and earth bare testimony to him as a suffering God. At the appointed season, after his dissolution, he was " proved to be the Son of God with power, by his resurrection from the dead." His ascension also to the right hand of God in the presence of his disciples, and his sending down the Holy Ghost to testify of him, effectually removed the scandal of his cross, and proved him to be the true Messiah, the Saviour of
n lsai. xlix. 3. John xiv. 31. 0 lsai. xli P Ps. xvi.
0 lsai. xlii. 1, G. and at large: Ps. lxxxix. 19 — 29.