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Chapter 36
Examining the sublimely
profound significance of the sufferings of Christ...
Why did Christ [Yahushua] come into the world?
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." 1 Timothy 1:15.
What prompted God to give His Son to die for man?
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. See also (1 John 4:9,10) (Romans 5:8).
What did the prophet say Christ would be called to endure?
"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken." Isaiah 53:7,8.
Must not Christ have known beforehand of these things?
"Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again." Luke 18:31-33.
How did the Saviour feel when the sins of the world were upon Him?
"And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me." Matthew 26:37,38.
In His distress, for what did He pray?
"And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matthew 26:39.
How great was the agony of His soul?
"And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Luke 22:44.
After this remarkable prayer, what happened to cause Him more grief?
"And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?" Luke 22:47,48.
To what place was He taken?
"Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off." Luke 22:54.
While at the high priest's house, what act of Peter's caused the Saviour additional suffering?
"And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew." And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice." Luke 22:59-61.
What reproachful things were done to Christ while He was at the high priest's house?
"And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?" Luke 22:63,64.
Where was Christ next taken?
"And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe." Luke 22:66,67.
What was their object in taking Him there, since it was not in their power judicially to sentence Him?
"Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am. And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth." Luke 22:70,71.
Having procured the pretext they sought, what did they next do?
"And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate." Luke 23:1.
When Pilate desired to let Christ go, how did they remonstrate?
"And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place." Luke 23:5.
When Pilate heard that Christ had been in Galilee, what did he do?
"And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time." Luke 23:7.
Did the chief priests and scribes follow Christ before Herod?
"And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him." Luke 23:10.
What indignity did Herod put upon the Saviour?
"And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate." Luke 23:11.
When Christ was again brought before Pilate, what did Pilate propose to do?
"And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go." Luke 23:22.
At this proposition, how did Christ's accusers act?
"And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed." Luke 23:23.
Besides yielding to the clamors of the Jews, what cruelty did Pilate inflict upon Christ?
"Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him." John 19:1.
What shameful treatment did He receive from the soldiers?
"And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head." Matthew 27:29,30.
After bringing Him to the place of crucifixion, what did they offer Him to stupefy Him?
"They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink." Matthew 27:34.
What prayer did He utter as they were nailing Him to the cross?
"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." Luke 23:34.
With what words did they taunt Him while on the cross?
"Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him." Matthew 27:41,42.
As He cried out in agony on the cross, what was again offered Him?
"And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink." Matthew 27:48.
What closed this terrible scene?
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." John 19:30.
What wonderful demonstration attested nature's sympathy with the sufferings of Christ, the dying Son of God?
"And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst." Luke 23:44,45.
Was it necessary for Christ thus to suffer?
"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Hebrews 2:10.
What follows from the fact that God gave us His only Son?
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32. |
