My Having Been His Murderer!
The author reflects on their guilt and sorrow for Jesus' crucifixion, and expresses their desire to be grateful and sorrowful for His sacrifice.
C.H. Spurgeon reflects on the profound sorrow of the women mourning for Jesus as He carries His cross to Calvary, emphasizing that while their grief is deep, his own sorrow is even greater because he recognizes that his sins contributed to Christ's suffering. He laments that his actions were among those that led to the crucifixion, feeling the weight of being a murderer of the Savior. Spurgeon contrasts the grief of the women with his own personal redemption, celebrating the transformative power of Christ in his life. He calls for a response of gratitude and sorrow that matches the depth of love shown by Jesus. Ultimately, he urges believers to acknowledge their debt to Christ and respond with heartfelt devotion.
Text
"A great multitude of the people followed Him, including women who mourned and wailed for Him." Luke 23:27
Amid the rabble crowd which hounded the Redeemer to His doom, there were some gracious souls whose bitter anguish sought vent in wailing and lamentations--fit music to accompany that march of woe!
When my soul can, in imagination, see the Savior bearing His cross to Calvary--she joins the godly women, and weeps with them. They bewailed,
innocence--maltreated,
goodness--persecuted,
love--bleeding,
meekness--dying!
But my heart has a deeper and more bitter cause to mourn: MY SINS were the scourges which lacerated those blessed shoulders! MY SINS were the thorns which crowned that bleeding brow! MY SINS cried, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" and laid the cruel cross upon His gracious shoulders! His being led forth to die, is sorrow enough for one eternity--but MY having been His murderer--is more, infinitely more grief, than one poor fountain of tears can express! Those women who loved and wept--could not have had greater reasons for love and grief--than my heart has!
The widow of Nain saw her son restored--but I myself have been raised to newness of life!
Peter's mother-in-law was cured of the fever--but I myself have been cured of the plague of sin!
Mary Magdalene had seven devils cast out of her--but a whole legion of devils were cast out of me!
Mary and Martha were favored with visits from Jesus--but He dwells with me!
I am not behind these holy women in debt to Jesus--let me not be behind them, in gratitude or sorrow.
"Love and grief my heart dividing,
With my tears His feet I'll lave;
Constant still in heart abiding,
Weep for Him who died to save!"
Sermon Outline
- The Multitude's Response to Jesus
- A great multitude followed Jesus, including women who mourned and wailed for Him
- Their anguish was a fitting accompaniment to Jesus' march to Calvary
Key Quotes
“His being led forth to die, is sorrow enough for one eternity--but MY having been His murderer--is more, infinitely more grief, than one poor fountain of tears can express!” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Love and grief my heart dividing, With my tears His feet I'll lave; Constant still in heart abiding, Weep for Him who died to save!” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- Recognize the depth of Jesus' sacrifice and the impact of our sins on His suffering
- Express gratitude and sorrow for Jesus' sacrifice, just like the women who loved and wept for Him
- Allow the weight of our guilt and sorrow to drive us to a deeper appreciation for Jesus' forgiveness and new life