The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 602

III. THE WAY OF sonnows. 1. Simon of Oyrene. 'l.'he heavy cross was laid npon the Lord. " He, bearing hie cross, went forth," He was worn and wearied. 'l'he awful agony of Gethsemane, the cruel scourging, the many sufferings, bodily and mental, which in hie bleeeed love he endured for ue, had utterly exhausted his etrengtb. He could not bear the crose; he sank beneath the burden. The soldiers, perhaps simply impatient of delay, perhaps in contempt of Simon, who may have been a disciple, e.nd may have shown his sympathy with the suffering Lord, laid the Lord's cross upnu this stranger of Cyrene," that he might bear it after Jesus." It was done in insult, but it wae in truth the highest honour. Simon was privileged to bear the Saviour's cross, to help him in his seeming helplessness, to alleviate in some small degree his overwhelming sorrow. Simon has become the type, the figure of faithful Christians. They must bear the cross; the .cross uf suffering, in one form or another, is surely laid upon them all; they bear it after Jesus. That sad procession is a fitting representation of the Church of the elect. The Lord goeth e.t the head of them. After him follow in loug order all his chosen, each bearing his cross, each learning of the Lord Jesus who first bore the cross, themselves to bear it patiently and with meek submission, glorying iu the cross, for the royal way of the holy cross is the only way to life eternal, and without the cross there cannot come the crown. 2. Golgotha. We cannot certainly identify the spot where the dear Lord suffered. It would be con- secrated by the holiest, the tenderest memories; we might well regard it as the most sacred spot in all the earth. The knowledge is hidden from us; and there is meaning in this. We may find Christ everywhere; every place, the whole world over, is hallowed by his blood. We may realize his death, and draw very near to the cross, and live under its shadow in England as well as at Jerusalem, Not all who saw him die were saved. It is the sight of Christ by faith that saves the soul. Blessed be God, we may bear about with us, wherever we go, the dying of the Lord Jesus, and in those who th\ls bear about that precious death, the life also of Jesus shall be manifested. The word "Golgotha" means "a skull." It reminds us of death; it tells us what we must one day be. But in that place which is called" a skull," he who is the Life of the world suffered and died ; and by his death he hath abolished death ; and we know that through him this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality in that day when he shall change the body of our humiliation, fashioning it like unto the body of his glory. 3. The stupefying drink. They gave him wine ·,o drink mingled with gall. Perhaps the women who bewailed and lamented him h:1.1 provided it. It was offered in kindness, to stupefy the senses and dull the feeling of pain. The Lord acknowledged the kind intention by tasting the offered potion; but he would not drink it. He did not refuse the vinegar which was given afterwards in answer to the cry," I thirst." Bltt he would not take the opiate; he would meet death with clear untroubled intellect. We cannot comprehe11d the nature of that spiritual work of atonement which he had to complete ere the great cry of victory," It is finished I" could issue from his dying lips. He would keep his consciousness calm and serene, that he might fulfil that sacred work. Let Christians imitate their Lord; let them never, in times of pain or distress, allow themselves to seek relief in strong drink ; let them learn submission from the blessed Master. LESSONS. 1. The Lord was scourged, Repine not in pain and agony, in unmerited disgrace. 2. He was mocked. Endure derision if it comes in his providence. 3. He bore the cross. Learn to bear it after Christ. Vers. 35-50.-The Crucifixion. I. THE RoMAN SOLDIERS. 1. They crucified him. 'l'he evangelists relate the awful deed with that grand simplicity which is characteristic 'Ji Holy Scripture. There is no rhetorical description, nothing sensational in their accounts. But it was beyond all comparison the most stupendous event that has ~ver happened on this earth of ours. They crucified him. He was the Son of God, the Word of the Father, by whom all things were made. He was the Brightness of the Father's glory, and the express Image of his Person; and they crucified him. He gavu himself to die. That tremendous sacrifice must imply tremendous necessities, deep incomprehensible causes hidden in the mysteries of the awful holiness of God, and the terrible corruption of humanity. It must mean that the accumulated guilt of the sin of the world was a burden which none could bear, a curse which none could take away,  608 THE GOSPEL ACOORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [oH. xxvn. 1--68.