March 31

PART II.

JESUS DERIDED AND MOCKED.

HAVING briefly glanced at the mockery and cruel indignities which Jesus endured, let us now endeavour to derive some useful lessons from it. We cannot fail to remember that it was through sin, that the curse was pronounced, by which the ground was doomed to bring forth "thorns and thistles." Here then we behold Jesus, who voluntarily became a curse for us, bearing on his head a crown of thorns, that the curse might be removed from us. Man by transgression had become the creature of guilt, and shame, and suffering; he had lost the fair robe of Eden's innocency, and the joyous delights of Paradise. Jesus now assumes our reproach, is covered with a mock-robe, and suffers through all his sacred person the most intense pain on our behalf. But God, in his great love, had purposed man's restoration to himself. He destined him to become an heir of heaven—He designed for him a spotless garment and crown of glory. Here then we behold the price of our redemption. Our holiness must be obtained through Christ's obedience and blood—our pardon through his condemnation—our robe through his scarlet apparel—our crown through his wreath of thorns—our glory through his ignominy—our happiness through his woes—and our salvation through his cross and death. While we anticipate the possession and enjoyment of the robes and crowns, and pleasures of heaven, let us not forget the sum they cost—the immense price at which they were procured. Let Christ's mockery and derision reconcile us to suffering and reproach for his sake. If we are to participate with him in his glory, is it too much to have fellowship with him in his sufferings? "If we suffer with him, we shall also be glorified together." It is requisite, not only that we suffer with him, but that we suffer in the same spirit of meekness and mercy which he displayed.