All They That See Me Laugh Me to Scorn
Jesus' love is amazing and divine, and He died for people who treated Him poorly despite their rejection of Him.
C.H. Spurgeon reflects on the profound mockery faced by Jesus during His crucifixion, emphasizing the cruelty of ridicule amidst His immense suffering. He highlights how various figures, from Judas to Pilate, participated in this scorn, showcasing humanity's tendency to despise what it does not understand. Spurgeon marvels at the depth of Christ's love, which persists even in the face of such contempt, and calls for a recognition of Jesus' true worth and glory. He urges believers to elevate Christ in their hearts and proclaim His praises, countering the world's rejection with adoration.
Text
Mockery was a great ingredient in our Lord's woe. Judas mocked Him in the garden; the chief priests and scribes laughed Him to scorn; Herod set Him at nought; the servants and the soldiers jeered at Him, and brutally insulted Him; Pilate and his guards ridiculed His royalty; and on the tree all sorts of horrid jests and hideous taunts were hurled at Him. Ridicule is always hard to bear, but when we are in intense pain it is so heartless, so cruel, that it cuts us to the quick. Imagine the Saviour crucified, racked with anguish far beyond all mortal guess, and then picture that motley multitude, all wagging their heads or thrusting out the lip in bitterest contempt of one poor suffering victim!
Surely there must have been something more in the crucified One than they could see, or else such a great and mingled crowd would not unanimously have honoured Him with such contempt. Was it not evil confessing, in the very moment of its greatest apparent triumph, that after all it could do no more than mock at that victorious goodness which was then reigning on the cross? O Jesus, "despised and rejected of men," how couldst Thou die for men who treated Thee so ill? Herein is love amazing, love divine, yea, love beyond degree. We, too, have despised Thee in the days of our unregeneracy, and even since our new birth we have set the world on high in our hearts, and yet Thou bleedest to heal our wounds, and diest to give us life.
O that we could set Thee on a glorious high throne in all men's hearts! We would ring out Thy praises over land and sea till men should as universally adore as once they did unanimously reject.
Thy creatures wrong Thee, O Thou sovereign Good! Thou art not loved, because not understood: This grieves me most, that vain pursuits beguile Ungrateful men, regardless of Thy smile.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Mockery of Christ
- A. The various groups that mocked Him
- B. The cruelty and heartlessness of their actions
- II. The Suffering of Christ
- A. The intense pain He endured
- B. The contrast between His suffering and their mocking
- III. The Triumph of Christ
- A. The ultimate victory of goodness over evil
- B. The reason for their unanimous contempt
- IV. Our Response to Christ
- A. Our past rejection of Him
- B. Our present tendency to set the world above Him
- V. The Love of Christ
- A. His love for us despite our rejection
- B. The reason for His sacrifice
Key Quotes
“Ridicule is always hard to bear, but when we are in intense pain it is so heartless, so cruel, that it cuts us to the quick.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Herein is love amazing, love divine, yea, love beyond degree.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“O that we could set Thee on a glorious high throne in all men's hearts!” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We should respond to Jesus' sacrifice by setting Him on a glorious high throne in our hearts.
- We should proclaim Jesus' praises to all men, just as we would have them universally adore Him.
- We should be aware of Jesus' smile and not be beguiled by vain pursuits.