Vers. 26----46.-7'7,e merciful Saviour on the cross. Delivered unto the will of the Jews by the indecision of Pila.te, Jesus accepts the cross, and proceeds under its crushing weight towards Calvary. But seeing him fainting under it, they press Simon the Cyrenian into service, and he has the everlasting honour of carrying the end of the beam after Jesus. Thus is it in all life's burdens-the weighty end of them is carried by the sympathetic Master, while the lighter end he allows his people to carry after him. And here we must notice- L His CONSIDERATION FOB JERUSALEM'S WEEPING DAUGHTERS. (Vers. 27-31.) The victim of Rome's cruelty, he has enlisted the sympathy of many weeping women. They see in his death the departure of their best earthly Friend. It is the moment of their deepest sorrow. But Jesus tells them to reserve their tears for themselves, This death of his will lead inevitably to the destruction of Jerusalem and to the dire calamities of the Illl.tion. These will be much more lamentable than any sorrows through ,vhich he is now to pass. Why, then, does he call upon them t-0 weep? Manifestly that their timely repentance may ensure their escaping the troubles which are so surely corning upon the earth. But the self-forgetful attitude of Jesus is surely most instruc- tive. He thinks not of himself, but of their hard case, even though on hie journey to the cross. It is the most perfect consideration for others' welfare, and the most beautiful forgetfulness of one's own. that he here exhibits. II. HE WAS !-'l:JMBEBED WITH THE TBANBGRESSORS. (Vers. 32, 33.) There was something peculiarly contemptuous in the arrangement of Jesus between two notable criminals. They were robbers-perhaps had been associates of Barabbas. They had committed, most probably, murder in the insurrection, so that the cross was the rightful end of such careers. But to number Jesus, the innocent, with them, to make him one with the greatest criminals then available, was diabolical I And yet he does not protest. Nay, he is willing to be thus identified that he may save even one of hie associates. And yet, is not this arrangement, which numbered him with the trans- gressors, simply the outward expression of the great fact which is the foundation of our salvation? If Jeslls had not voluntarily taken up the position of substitute, and iden- tified himself with sinners, we should never have been redeemed. III. INTERCESSION FBOM THE CROSS. (Ver. 34.) It was ignore.nee on the pa.rt of many which led to this great crime, but culpable ignorance. They should have known better. 'l'hey needed forgiveness for it. They are the subjects of hie intercession. He prays, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what ihey do." '!'here never had been such a forgiving spirit manifested since the world began. No wonder that the dying scenes took on ever after a new halo, and that martyrs were able, in spite of ell. xxm.1-66.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE.
suffering, to forgive their murderers and intercede for their salvation I It was the glory of patience which was manifested npon the cross. IV. THE CHARGE OF BELF-NEGLE0T. (Vers. 35-38.) Aa they walk round the cross in their selfishness, the ,Jews charge Jesus with self-neglect. He had saved others, but now he does not try to save himself. If he would only show that he can take care of "number one," they would believe on him. Assuredly we have here the self-revelation of the world. The world believes in the selfish, self-seeking lea<lers of men. A Napoleon or Cresar, who is willing to sacrifice millions of men to gratify his ambition, is believed in-at all events for a time I But Jesus, who sacrifices himself, is derided. Yet in the end the kingship of the self-sacrificing Saviour is acknowledged. The true King of the Jews is he who could lay down his life for his subjects, and so redeem them. V. THE FmST RECOGNIZER OF CHRIST'S KINGSHIP. (Vers. 39-43.) One in the vast assemblage, however, sees below tbd surface, and recognizes the sovereignty of self-sacrifice. At first reviling Christ, he had come to see, beneath the meek exterior of the Saviour, the real regal spirit. Hence he changes sides, begins to rebuke the other malefactor who continues his unholy maledictions, and then quietly implores the Lorcl to remember him when he comes in his kingdom. The poor robber, who had perhaps fought under some false Messiah, and knew what Jewish hopes were, believes that this meek and suffering One upon the cross beside him will yet come to his kingdom. When that advent is to be he knows not. But even in the far-off time it will be well for him to be remembered by him. Thus he prays, and is answered. But "To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise," is the blessed hope set before him. Paradise is part of his kingdom, and the dying robber will be with Jesus in its peacefal bowers that very day. What a hope to be opened up to the dying man! What comfort it gave him, and should give to us I VI. THE CONSUMMATION. (Vers. 44-46.) After these preliminaries are settled, the dealing of Jesus with the Father himself comes on. It was meet that a veil of darkness should surround the suffering Son and the righteous Father. The Priest and the Victim, who offered himself without spot to God, should in deep darkness pass through the act of unexampled worship. No wonder also that the veil of the temple was rent in the midst; for it was exactly this which his death secured-a way into the holiest through the rent veil of his flesh. And then, when the cry of desolation, that loud and bitter cry," My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" had given place to quiet assur- ance, and amid returning light the last cry from the cross went up to heaven, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit!" it was meet that he should quietly surrender his life and give up the ghost. There is much to encourage and strengthen us in this consummation on the cross.-R. M. E.