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Spiritual Gifts. Volume 1
pale, and large drops of sweat stood upon his brow. Satan exulted in
the sufferings which the Son of God was passing through, yet feared
that his kingdom was lost, and that he must die.
They raised the cross after they had nailed Jesus to it, and with
great force thrust it into the place prepared for it in the ground, tearing
the flesh, and causing the most intense suffering. They made his death
as shameful as possible. With him they crucified two thieves, one
on either side of Jesus. The thieves were taken by force, and after
much resistance on their part, their arms were thrust back and nailed to
their crosses. But Jesus meekly submitted. He needed no one to force
his arms back upon the cross. While the thieves were cursing their
executioners, Jesus in agony prayed for his enemies, Father, forgive
them, for they know not what they do. It was not merely agony of
body which Jesus endured, but the sins of the whole world were upon
him.
As Jesus hung upon the cross, some who passed by reviled him,
wagging their heads, as though bowing to a king, and said to him,
Thou that destroyest the temple and buildest it in three days, save
thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. The
Devil used the same words to Christ in the wilderness, If thou be the
Son of God. The chief priests and elders and scribes mockingly said,
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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. The
angels who hovered over the scene of Christ’s crucifixion were moved
to indignation as the rulers derided him, and said, If he be the Son
of God let him deliver himself. They wished there to come to the
rescue of Jesus, and deliver him; but they were not suffered to do so.
The object of his mission was almost accomplished. As Jesus hung
upon the cross those dreadful hours of agony, he did not forget his
mother. She could not remain away from the suffering scene. Jesus’
last lesson was one of compassion and humanity. He looked upon his
mother, whose heart was well nigh bursting with grief, and then upon
his beloved disciple John. He said to his mother, Woman, behold thy
Son. Then said he to John, Behold thy mother. And from that hour
John took her to his own house.
Jesus thirsted in his agony; but they heaped upon him additional
insult, by giving him vinegar and gall to drink. The angels had viewed
the horrid scene of the crucifixion of their loved commander, until they