Morning, April 3
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
John 19:16
"They took Jesus, and led him away."
John 19:16
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.