"They took Jesus, and led Him away." --John 19:16
He had been all night in agony, He had spent the early morning at the hall of
Caiaphas, He had been hurried from Caiaphas to Pilate, from Pilate to Herod, and
from Herod back again to Pilate; He had, therefore, but little strength left,
and yet neither refreshment nor rest were permitted Him. They were eager for His
blood, and therefore led Him out to die, loaded with the cross. O dolorous
procession! Well may Salem's daughters weep. My soul, do thou weep also.
What learn we here as we see our blessed Lord led forth? Do we not perceive
that truth which was set forth in shadow by
the scapegoat? Did not the
high-priest bring the scapegoat, and put both his hands upon its head,
confessing the sins of the people, that thus those sins might be laid upon the
goat, and cease from the people? Then the goat was led away by a fit man into
the wilderness, and it carried away the sins of the people, so that if they were
sought for they could not be found. Now we see Jesus brought before the priests
and rulers, who pronounce Him guilty; God Himself imputes our sins
to
Him, "the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all;" "He was made sin
for us;" and, as the substitute for our guilt, bearing our sin upon His
shoulders, represented by the cross; we see the great Scapegoat led away by the
appointed officers of justice. Beloved, can you feel assured that He carried
your sin? As you look at the cross upon His shoulders, does it represent
your sin? There is one way by which you can tell whether He carried your
sin or not. Have you laid your hand upon His head, confessed your sin, and
trusted in Him? Then your sin lies not on you; it has all been transferred by
blessed imputation to Christ, and He bears it on His shoulder as a load heavier
than the cross.
Let not the picture vanish till you have rejoiced in your own deliverance,
and adored the loving Redeemer upon whom your iniquities were laid.
Morning and Evening Index
