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Crucifixion of Christ
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My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture.”
Psalm
22:16, 18
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A Lesson in Filial Love
The eyes of Jesus wandered over the multitude that had collected
together to witness His death, and He saw at the foot of the cross
John supporting Mary, the mother of Christ. She had returned to
the terrible scene, not being able to longer remain away from her
Son. The last lesson of Jesus was one of filial love. He looked
upon the grief-stricken face of His mother, and then upon John; said
He, addressing the former: “Woman, behold thy son!” Then, to the
disciple: “Behold thy mother!”
John 19:27
. John well understood
the words of Jesus, and the sacred trust which was committed to him.
He immediately removed the mother of Christ from the fearful scene
of Calvary. From that hour he cared for her as would a dutiful son,
taking her to his own home. The perfect example of Christ’s filial
love shines forth with undimmed luster from the mist of ages. While
enduring the keenest torture, He was not forgetful of His mother, but
made all provision necessary for her future.
The mission of Christ’s earthly life was now nearly accom-
plished. His tongue was parched, and he said, “I thirst.” They
saturated a sponge with vinegar and gall, and offered it Him to drink;
and when He had tasted it, he refused it. And now the Lord of life
and glory was dying, a ransom for the race. It was the sense of sin,
bringing the Father’s wrath upon Him as man’s substitute, that made
the cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of God.
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As man’s substitute and surety, the iniquity of men was laid upon
Christ; He was counted a transgressor that He might redeem them
from the curse of the law. The guilt of every descendant of Adam
of every age was pressing upon His heart; and the wrath of God
and the terrible manifestation of His displeasure because of iniquity,
filled the soul of His Son with consternation. The withdrawal of
the divine countenance from the Saviour in this hour of supreme
anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully
understood by man. Every pang endured by the Son of God upon
the cross, the blood drops that flowed from His head, His hands
and feet, the convulsions of agony which racked His frame, and the