September 5
The Crucifixion of Christ
The Christian's Daily Treasury"They have crucified the Lord of glory."—I Cor. ii. 8.
WE may from these words notice
THE FACT OF OUR SAVIOUR'S CRUCIFIXION. The death of the cross was a violent death. Under the Jewish dispensation, no animal that died of itself was offered in sacrifice to God; so Christ, the great Antitype, died not of disease or of old age, but by the hand of violence, and in the flower of life. He was cut off out of the land of the living. The Rose of Sharon was plucked in its perfection, and the Lily of the Valley was cut down in the midst of its bloom, beauty, and fragrance, that it might be to the Lord for a sweet-smelling savor. Christ died on a cross, to fulfil the types in the Old Testament. As Isaac walked to mount Moriah, with the wood on his shoulders, so the Son of God carried his cross as he went to mount Calvary. Another lively type of the crucifixion of Christ, we have in the brazen serpent.
THE REASONS OF OUR SAVIOUR'S CRUCIFIXION.
Ignorance. "Had they known it," says the apostle, "they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." They were ignorant of the greatness of his character, and the importance of his mission. His glory, though partially concealed by the veil of humanity, was displayed; but their eyes were blinded. Is it not the case now with those who despise the Gospel, and crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh?
Enmity. Why did they transfix the Son of God on the cross? We answer in the language of the apostle, "because the carnal mind is enmity against God."
Cubalief. In the face of all the evidences which our Lord gave of his eternal power and Godhead, they refused to give credence to him, and treated him as a deceiver, who wished to impose upon the credulity of mankind. Though the crucifixion of Christ was the worst act that was ever perpetrated on the theatre of our world, yet it was overruled by the power and wisdom of Jehovah, to bring about the most glorious results.
"Hail! hallowed cross, accursed no more; Rich tree of life to all our race; Blest tree of Paradise, which bore The choicest fruit — the gift of grace."