John 19:16
"They took Jesus, and led Him away."
He had been all night in agony, He had spent the early morning at the
hall of Caiaphas, He had been hurried from Caiaphas to Pilate, from
Pilate to Herod, and from Herod back again to Pilate; He had, therefore,
but little strength left, and yet neither refreshment nor rest were
permitted Him. They were eager for His blood, and therefore led Him out
to die, loaded with the cross. O dolorous procession! Well may Salem's
daughters weep. My soul, do thou weep also.
What learn we here as we see
our blessed Lord led forth? Do we not perceive that truth which was set
forth in shadow by the scapegoat? Did not the high-priest bring the
scapegoat, and put both his hands upon its head, confessing the sins of
the people, that thus those sins might be laid upon the goat, and cease
from the people? Then the goat was led away by a fit man into the
wilderness, and it carried away the sins of the people, so that if they
were sought for they could not be found.
Now we see Jesus brought before
the priests and rulers, who pronounce Him guilty; God Himself imputes
our sins to Him, "the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all;" "He
was made sin for us;" and, as the substitute for our guilt, bearing our
sin upon His shoulders, represented by the cross; we see the great
Scapegoat led away by the appointed officers of justice.
Beloved, can
you feel assured that He carried your sin? As you look at the cross upon
His shoulders, does it represent your sin? There is one way by which
you can tell whether He carried your sin or not. Have you laid your hand
upon His head, confessed your sin, and trusted in Him? Then your sin
lies ...not ...on ...you; it has all been transferred by blessed imputation to
Christ, and He bears it on His shoulder as a load heavier than the
cross.
Let not the picture vanish till you have rejoiced in your own
deliverance, and adored the loving Redeemer upon whom your iniquities
were laid.
- Charles Haddon Spurgeon, M&E, April 3
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