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They that Pierced Him, October 12
Ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and
coming in the clouds of heaven.
Mark 14:62
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As they [the Jewish rulers] gaze upon His glory, there flashes before
their minds the memory of the Son of Man clad in the garb of humanity.
They remember how they treated Him, how they refused Him, and pressed
close to the side of the great apostate. The scenes of Christ’s life appear
before them in all their clearness. All He did, all He said, the humiliation to
which He descended to save them from the taint of sin, rises before them in
condemnation.
They behold Him riding into Jerusalem, and see Him break into an
agony of tears over the impenitent city that would not receive His message.
His voice, which was heard in invitation, in entreaty, in tones of tender
solicitude, seems again to fall upon their ears. The scene in the garden
of Gethsemane rises before them, and they hear Christ’s amazing prayer,
“Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.”
Again they hear the voice of Pilate, saying, “I find in him no fault at all.”
They see the shameful scene in the judgment hall, when Barabbas stood
by the side of Christ, and they had the privilege of choosing the guiltless
One. They hear again the words of Pilate, “Whom will ye that I release unto
you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?” They hear the response,
“Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas.” To the question of
Pilate, “What shall I do then with Jesus?” the answer comes, “Let him be
crucified.”
Again they see their Sacrifice bearing the reproach of the cross. They
hear the loud, triumphant tones tauntingly exclaim, “If thou be the Son
of God, come down from the cross.” “He saved others; himself he cannot
save.”
Now they behold Him not in the garden of Gethsemane, not in the
judgment hall, not on the cross of Calvary. The signs of His humiliation
have passed away, and they look upon the face of God—the face they spit
upon, the face which priests and rulers struck with the palms of their hands.
Now the truth in all its vividness is revealed to them.
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