Calvary
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But Pilate was angry with himself because of his former weakness.
He also thoroughly despised the jealous and wicked rulers. So he
answered:
“What I have written I have written.”
John 19:22
.
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The soldiers divided the clothing of Jesus among themselves. One
garment was woven without seam, and about this there was a con-
tention. They finally settled the matter by casting lots. God’s prophet
had foretold that they would do this. He wrote:
“Dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have
inclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet.... They part My
garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture.”
Psalm 22:16,
18
.
As soon as Jesus was lifted up on the cross, a terrible scene took
place. Priests, rulers, and scribes joined with the rabble in mocking
and jeering the dying Son of God, saying:
“If Thou be the King of the Jews, save Thyself.”
Luke 23:37
.
“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. He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have
Him: for He said, I am the Son of God.”
Matthew 27:42, 43
.
“And they that passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, and
saying, Ah, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three
days, save Thyself, and come down from the cross.”
Mark 15:29, 30
.
Christ could have come down from the cross. But if He had done
this, we could never have been saved. For our sake He was willing to
die.
“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His
stripes we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5
.
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