Evening, July 22

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"Behold the man!"

  John 19:5

   If there be one place where our Lord Jesus most fully becomes the joy
   and comfort of his people, it is where he plunged deepest into the
   depths of woe. Come hither, gracious souls, and behold the man in the
   garden of Gethsemane; behold his heart so brimming with love that he
   cannot hold it in--so full of sorrow that it must find a vent. Behold
   the bloody sweat as it distils from every pore of his body, and falls
   upon the ground. Behold the man as they drive the nails into his hands
   and feet. Look up, repenting sinners, and see the sorrowful image of
   your suffering Lord. Mark him, as the ruby drops stand on the
   thorn-crown, and adorn with priceless gems the diadem of the King of
   Misery. Behold the man when all his bones are out of joint, and he is
   poured out like water and brought into the dust of death; God hath
   forsaken him, and hell compasseth him about. Behold and see, was there
   ever sorrow like unto his sorrow that is done unto him? All ye that
   pass by draw near and look upon this spectacle of grief, unique,
   unparalleled, a wonder to men and angels, a prodigy unmatched. Behold
   the Emperor of Woe who had no equal or rival in his agonies! Gaze upon
   him, ye mourners, for if there be not consolation in a crucified Christ
   there is no joy in earth or heaven. If in the ransom price of his blood
   there be not hope, ye harps of heaven, there is no joy in you, and the
   right hand of God shall know no pleasures for evermore. We have only to
   sit more continually at the cross foot to be less troubled with our
   doubts and woes. We have but to see his sorrows, and our sorrows we
   shall be ashamed to mention. We have but to gaze into his wounds and
   heal our own. If we would live aright it must be by the contemplation
   of his death; if we would rise to dignity, it must be by considering
   his humiliation and his sorrow.