Chapter 78—Calvary
This chapter is based on
Matthew 27:31-53
;
Mark 14:20-38
;
Luke
23:26-46
;
John 19:16-30
.
“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary,
there they crucified Him.”
“That He might sanctify the people with His own blood,” Christ
“suffered without the gate.”
Hebrews 13:12
. For transgression of the
law of God, Adam and Eve were banished from Eden. Christ, our
substitute, was to suffer without the boundaries of Jerusalem. He died
outside the gate, where felons and murderers were executed. Full of
significance are the words, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of
the law, being made a curse for us.”
Galatians 3:13
.
A vast multitude followed Jesus from the judgment hall to Calvary.
The news of His condemnation had spread throughout Jerusalem,
and people of all classes and all ranks flocked toward the place of
crucifixion. The priests and rulers had been bound by a promise not to
molest Christ’s followers if He Himself were delivered to them, and
the disciples and believers from the city and the surrounding region
joined the throng that followed the Saviour.
As Jesus passed the gate of Pilate’s court, the cross which had
been prepared for Barabbas was laid upon His bruised and bleeding
shoulders. Two companions of Barabbas were to suffer death at the
same time with Jesus, and upon them also crosses were placed. The
Saviour’s burden was too heavy for Him in His weak and suffering
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condition. Since the Passover supper with His disciples, He had taken
neither food nor drink. He had agonized in the garden of Gethsemane
in conflict with satanic agencies. He had endured the anguish of the
betrayal, and had seen His disciples forsake Him and flee. He had
been taken to Annas, then to Caiaphas, and then to Pilate. From Pilate
He had been sent to Herod, then sent again to Pilate. From insult
to renewed insult, from mockery to mockery, twice tortured by the
scourge,—all that night there had been scene after scene of a character
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