* Ps. xl. C— 8. B B 2
and, after he had shewn them by one exercise of his power that he could easily have struck them all dead upon the spot, even as Elijah had done before himg, he gave himself up into their hands, stipulating how- ever for his disciples (as he had long since done in effect with his heavenly Father for us), " If ye seek me, let these go their way." At the time of his death also, to convince the people that his nature was not exhausted, he with an exceeding loud voice committed his spirit into his Father's hands, shewing thereby, that no man took his life from him, but that he laid it down of himself: and the evangelist particularly marked this by saying, " He yielded up," or, as the word means, he " dismissed his spirit11."
In the midst of all his sufferings he abounded in expressions of love to his very murderers. When he came within sight of that infatuated, that malignant city, instead of feeling any resentment, he wept over it, and pathetically lamented the invincible obstinacy which would shortly involve it in utter ruin. Many, even thousands of its blood-thirsty inhabitants, were interested in that intercessory prayer, which he offered on the very eve of his crucifixion ; the blessed effects of which were fully manifested on the day of Pente- cost. While he yet hanged on the cross, instead of accusing them to his Father, he prayed for them, and even pleaded their ignorance in extenuation of their guilt ; " Father, forgive them ; for they know not what they do." And after he had risen triumphant from the grave, he still manifested the same un- bounded compassion, directing his disciples to make the offers of salvation first to that very people, who had treated him with such consummate cruelty1; and to assure them, that the blood which they had shed was ready to cleanse them from the guilt of shedding it.
Such was the behaviour of our blessed Lord, every way suited to his august character, and calculated to promote the great ends of his mission : for while, by
s John xviii. 6. h Matt, xxvii. 50. 'A^j/ke to irvevpa.
1 Luke xxiv. 47.
970. J Christ's behaviour under his sufferings. 373
his sufferings, he paid the penalty that was due from us, and thus "finished transgression, and made an end of sin," he fulfilled also the obedience which the law required, and " brought in for sinners an everlasting righteousness k."
This subject, replete with wonder, affords us,
1. An occasion for thankfulness —
Let us for a moment endeavour to realize our state before God. We have sinned against him : we have multiplied our transgressions : they are more in number than the stars of heaven, or the sands upon the sea shore. We owe to God a debt of ten thou- sand talents ; and are unable to pay the least farthing towards it. What if we exert ourselves to serve God better in future ? If we could live as angels in future, we could make no satisfaction for our past transgres- sions: the not continuing to increase our debt would not discharge the debt already incurred. But we can- not help adding to the score every day we live. What then should we do, if we had not a surety ? Where should we hide ourselves from our creditor ? How should we contrive to elude his search, or to withstand his power ? Alas ! our case would be pitiable indeed. But adored be the name of our God, who has " laid help upon One that is mighty ! " Adored be that Jesus, who undertook to pay the price of our redemp- tion, and who says, " Deliver him from going down to the pit, for I have found a ransom1."
To view our situation aright let us consider our- selves, like Isaac, already devoted to death, and the arm of God himself uplifted to inflict the fatal stroke. When there seemed no prospect whatever of deli- verance, mercy interposed to avert the impending ruin : and Jesus, like the ram caught in the thicket, offered himself in our stead m. And shall we be in- sensible to all his love ? Will not " the very stones cry out against us, if we should hold our peace ?" O then " let them give thanks, whom the Lord hath