Sufferings of Christ

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In order to appreciate the value of salvation, it is necessary to understand something of its cost. In consequence of too limited ideas of the sufferings of Christ, many place a low estimate upon the great work of the atonement. In the divine plan for man’s redemption, we behold the marvellous manifestation of the love of God to the fallen race. Such love as is revealed in the gift of God’s beloved Son to the world, amazed the holy angels.

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By transgression man had separated himself from Him who alone is light and love. The sinner was «alienated from the life of God,» «dead in trespasses and sins.» The only hope for the fallen race was found in their becoming reconciled to God. Satan had so misrepresented God that man had no true conception of the divine character. But in carrying out the plan of salvation, Christ revealed that «God is love.» «God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.» The Father loves us, not because of the great propitiation; but he provided the propitiation because he loves us. Christ was the medium through which he could pour out his infinite love upon a fallen world. «God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.» The Father suffered with the Son. In the agony of Gethsemane, the death of Calvary, the heart of infinite love paid the price of our redemption.

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Jesus had often resorted to Gethsemane with his disciples for meditation and prayer. But never before had the Saviour visited the spot with his heart so full of sorrow as on the night of his betrayal. It was not a dread of the physical suffering he was soon to endure that overwhelmed the Son of God, or forced from his lips the mournful cry, «My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.» The sins of the world weighed heavily upon the Saviour, and bowed him to the earth. The enormity of sin overwhelmed his soul, and a sense of separation from his Father because he had become sin for us, seemed crushing out his life.

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Christ was amazed at the horror of darkness that enclosed him. «Tarry ye here,» he said to his disciples, «and watch with me.» Withdrawing a little space from them, he prayed in anguish, «O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.» In tones of startling agony his words were borne to his disciples upon the sympathizing air.

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Yearning for the sympathy of his disciples, he came to them, and found them sleeping. He knew that it was the power of the prince of darkness that had paralyzed their senses at this time when they should have been watching. Had the disciples watched with Christ in the hour of agony, they would have been prepared to behold his suffering upon the cross, to understand something of the nature of the overpowering anguish which he endured in the garden of Gethsemane. And they would have been better able to recall the words he had spoken to them in reference to his sufferings, death, and resurrection; and amid the gloom of that trying hour, as they should witness the triumph of the powers of darkness in the sufferings and death of Christ, some rays of hope would have lighted up the darkness, and sustained their faith. Christ had told them before that these things would take place, but they did not understand him.

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He roused Peter and said to him, «Simon, sleepest thou?» Was it possible that he who had declared himself willing to go to prison and to death with Christ, was unable to watch one hour with his suffering Master? In pitying tenderness, Jesus added, «Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.»

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At the critical moment, when Jesus was most in need of their sympathy, his chosen companions were overcome with slumber. The Saviour’s trial and crucifixion was to be a fiery ordeal to his disciples, and Jesus designed to fortify them for this severe test. Had those hours in the garden been spent in watching and prayer, the disciples would have been strengthened to share the reproaches that fell on Christ, and would not have forsaken him in his hour of trial. But instead of watching with their Lord, they were burdened with sorrow, and fell asleep.

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But though the disciples slept, the angels watched in silent grief and amazement the Father separating his beams of light, love, and glory from his Son. As Jesus bowed in prayer, in the agony of his spirit, he sweat great drops of blood. The horror of great darkness surrounded him; for the sins of the world were upon him. He was suffering in man’s stead, as a transgressor of the Father’s law. The light of God was receding from his vision, and he was passing into the hands of the powers of darkness. In the agony of his soul, he lay prostrate on the cold earth. Christ had taken the cup of suffering from guilty man, and proposed to drink it himself, and in its place, give to man the cup of blessing.

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Jesus knew that it would be difficult for man to realize the grievous nature of sin. He knew that close contact and familiarity with evil would so blunt man’s moral sensibility that he would not perceive the heinous character of sin, would not discern how exceedingly offensive it is in the sight of God. He knew that but few would take pleasure in righteousness, and accept of the salvation which at infinite cost he made it possible for the lost to obtain.

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While the load of the world’s sin was upon Christ, doubts rent his soul in regard to his oneness with his Father. In this hour of fearful trial he longed even for human sympathy and fellowship. A second time he rose from the earth, and made his way to where his disciples tarried; but again he found them sleeping. They were not in a deep sleep. They had a partial sense of their Lord’s suffering and anguish. In tenderness Jesus stood for a moment bending over them, regarding them with mingled feelings of love and pity.

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The disciples roused from their slumber to find their Master standing over them in a state of mental and physical anguish such as they never before had witnessed. They saw the grief and agony of his pale face, and the bloody sweat upon his brow; for «his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.» The disciples were grieved that they had fallen asleep, so that they could not pray and sympathize with their suffering Lord. They were speechless with sorrow and surprise, but seemingly unable to rise above the stupor that weighed upon them.

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Again the powers of darkness pressed upon Christ with irresistible force. Giving his disciples one look of the tenderest compassion, he left them, and bowed a third time in prayer. The divine sufferer shuddered with amazement at this mysterious and terrible conflict. He poured out the burden of his soul with strong crying and tears. His soul was pressed with an agony that no human being could endure and live. Jesus willingly suffered all this for guilty man, although he knew that few would appreciate his love or accept of his salvation.

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The mind of man cannot conceive of the unutterable anguish that tortured the soul of our Redeemer. The holy Son of God had no sins or griefs of his own to bear: he was bearing the griefs of others; for on him was laid the iniquity of us all. Through divine sympathy he connects himself with man, and as the representative of the race he submits to be treated as a transgressor. He looks into the abyss of woe opened for us by our sins, and proposes to bridge the gulf of man’s separation from God.

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It was soul anguish that wrung from the lips of God’s dear Son this cry of woe: «My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.»He was overwhelmed with horror at the fearful work that sin had wrought. His burden of guilt, because of man’s transgression of the Father’s law, was so great that human nature was inadequate to bear it. The sufferings of martyrs can bear no comparison with the agony of Christ. The divine presence was with them in their sufferings; but the Father’s face was hidden from his dear Son. It was this that brought from the trembling lips of Christ the words, «Now is my soul troubled.» «O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.» Again in submission he prays: «O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.»

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The awful moment had come that was to decide the destiny of the world. The fate of humanity trembled in the balance. The Son of God might even now refuse to drink the bitter cup. He might wipe the bloody sweat from his brow, and leave men to perish in their iniquity. Will the Son of the infinite God drink the cup of humiliation and agony? Will the innocent suffer the curse of sin, to save the guilty? But now the history of the human race comes up before the world’s Redeemer. He sees the power of sin and the utter helplessness of man to save himself. The woes and lamentations of a lost world rise before him, he beholds its impending doom, and his decision is made. He will save man at any cost to himself. He accepts his baptism of blood, that through him perishing millions may gain everlasting life. He has left the heavenly courts, where all is purity, happiness, and glory, to save the one lost sheep,the one world that has fallen by transgression, and he will not be turned from the mission he has chosen.

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Having made the decision, he falls in a dying condition to the earth. Where now are his disciples, to place their hands tenderly beneath the head of their suffering Master, and bathe that brow, marred indeed more than the sons of men? Our Saviour trod the winepress alone, and of all the people there was none with him. The angels who had done Christ’s will in heaven would fain comfort him. But what can they do? Such sorrow, such agony, is beyond their power to alleviate. They have never felt the sins of a ruined world, and with astonishment they behold their beloved Master prostrated with grief.

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Although the father does not remove the cup from the trembling hand and pale lips of his Son, he sends an angel from his presence to strengthen the divine sufferer. The angel raises the Son of God from the cold ground, and comforts Him with messages of love from His Father. He is strengthened. He has the assurance that He is gaining eternal joys for all who will accept redemption. To be continued.

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The fearful hour in Gethsemane is past. Our divine Saviour has accepted the cup to drain it to the dregs. In behalf of man He has conquered in the hour of temptation. Serenity and peace are now seen in the pale, blood-stained face. The third time He comes to his disciples, and finds them overcome with sleep. Sorrowfully and pityingly He looks upon them, and says, «Sleep on now, and take your rest.» Even while these words were upon his lips, He heard the footsteps of the mob that was in search of Him. And He continued, «Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; behold, he is at hand that doth betray Me.»

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The countenance of Christ wore an expression of calm dignity. The traces of his recent agony were not visible as He went forth to meet his betrayer. Judas, closely followed by the priests, led the way. Standing in advance of his disciples, Jesus inquires, «Whom seek ye?» They answer, «Jesus of Nazareth.» The Saviour replies, «I am He.» At these words the mob stagger backward, and the priests, the elders, the hardened soldiers, and even Judas, fall powerless to the ground, giving ample opportunity for Christ to release Himself if He so desires. But He stands as one glorified amid that coarse and hardened band.

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The Roman soldiers start to their feet, and, with the priests and Judas, they gather about Christ as though ashamed of their weakness, and fearful that He will yet escape out of their hands. Again the question is asked by the Redeemer, «Whom seek ye?» Again they answer, «Jesus of Nazareth.» Jesus replies, «I have told you that I am He. If therefore ye seek Me, let these go their way.» In this hour of humiliation, Christ’s thoughts are not for Himself, but for his beloved disciples. He wishes to save them from any further trial.

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Judas does not forget his part, but comes close to Jesus, and takes his hand as a familiar friend, and bestows the traitor’s kiss. Jesus says to him, «Friend, wherefore art thou come?» His voice trembled with sorrow as He addressed deluded Judas, «Betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss.» This appeal should have aroused the conscience of Judas, and touched his stubborn heart; but honor, fidelity, and even human tenderness, seemed to have left him. He stood bold and defiant, showing no disposition to relent. He had given himself up to the control of Satan, to work wickedness, and he had no will to resist. Jesus did not refuse the traitor’s kiss. In this He gives us an example of forbearance, love, and pity, that is without a parallel.

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Though the murderous throng are surprised and awed by what they have seen and felt, their assurance and hardihood return as they witness the boldness of Judas in touching the person of Him whom so recently they have seen glorified.

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When the disciples saw that He permitted Himself to be taken, they were offended, and forsook Him and fled, leaving their Master alone. Christ had foreseen this desertion, and in the upper chamber, before it took place, had told them of what they would do: «Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.»

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He was betrayed by a kiss into the hands of his enemies; He was hurried to the judgment hall of an earthly court, by sinful men to be derided and condemned to death. There the glorious Son of God «was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.» He bore insult, mockery, and shameful abuse, until his «visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.»

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The angelic host beheld with wonder and with grief Him who had been the Majesty of heaven, and had worn the crown of glory, now crowned with thorns, a bleeding victim to the rage of an infuriated mob, who were fired to insane madness by the wrath of Satan.

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Wonder, O heavens, and be astonished, O earth! Behold the oppressor and the oppressed! A multitude inclose the Saviour of the world. Mockings and jeerings are mingled with coarse oaths of blasphemy. His lowly birth and humble life are commented upon by the unfeeling mob. His claim to be the Son of God is ridiculed by chief priests and elders, and the vulgar jest and insulting sneer are passed from lip to lip. Satan controlled the minds of his servants. He imbued the chief priests and elders with religious frenzy. This they communicated to the mob until a corrupt harmony united all, from the hypocritical priests and elders down to the most debased.

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Christ, the precious Son of God, is led forth, and the cross is laid upon his shoulders. His footsteps to Calvary are marked with blood. Thronged by an immense crowd of bitter enemies and unfeeling spectators, He is led away to the crucifixion. «He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not his mouth. He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not his mouth.»

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He is nailed to the cross, and hangs suspended between the heavens and the earth. His sorrowing disciples have followed Him at a distance, behind the murderous throng. Their hearts are bursting with anguish as their beloved Teacher suffers as a criminal. Close to the cross are the blind, bigoted priests and elders, mocking and jeering: «Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save Thyself. If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him. He trusted in God: let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him; for He said, I am the Son of God.»

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Not one word did Jesus answer to all this. Even while the nails were being driven through his hands, and the sweat-drops of agony were thick upon his brow, He breathed a prayer of pardoning love for his murderers: «Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.»

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O, was there ever suffering and sorrow like that endured by the dying Saviour! But it was not physical suffering, it was the sense of his alienation from God, that made his cup so bitter. It was not physical suffering that so quickly ended the life of Christ upon the cross. It was the crushing weight of the sins of the world, that broke his heart. The Father’s glory and sustaining presence had left Him; it was this that forced from his lips the anguished cry, «My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?»