Article #11 on the Passion of Jesus Christ 

“And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.” – Lk. 23:12 

“And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise him, and release him.” – Lk. 23:13-16

“Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.” – Mk. 15:6-10

“Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.” – Matt. 27:15-19

“Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this world: if My Kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My Kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a King then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.” - John 18:33-38

“It was a good confession for the Nazarene, clothed in the common smock frock of a Galilean peasant, with gory sweat still upon His brow, with the ropes that bound Him still about His wrists, with the howling savagery of His countrymen behind Him, to say to Pilate, ‘I am a King.’” – C.H. Spurgeon, The King in Pilate’s Hall

“But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.” - John 18:39-19:1

Article #9 on the Passion of Jesus Christ 

“The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.” - Acts 3:13-15 

“And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.” – Lk. 23:1

“Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.” – Jn. 18:29-30

“And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.” – Lk. 23:2

“And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.” – Matt. 27:11-14

“And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it. And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.” – Mark 15:2-5

“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.” – Isa. 53:7

“He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.” – Jn. 1:12

“Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man. And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean. And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.” - Luke 23:4-7

King Herod, The Edomite (the Son of “Herod the Great”)

“And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.” – Luke 23:8-11

Article #8 on the Passion of Jesus Christ 

“Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.” - John 18:12-14
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“Alone and singlehanded, our great Champion entered the arena, and won the victory for us.” – C.H. Spurgeon, Our Lord’s Substitution

“Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the Chief Priests and unto the Scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” – Matt. 20:18-19

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:” – Rom. 8:3

“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:” - Acts 2:23

“Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.” - John 11:47-53

“In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” - John 1:4-5

“Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” – Prov. 26:12

“And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?” - Luke 12:54-57

“Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take Him by force, to make Him a King, He departed again into a mountain Himself alone.” - John 6:14-15

“Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.” - John 12:9-11

“The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.” - John 12:19

“He was taken from prison and from judgment” – Isa. 53:8 (“humiliation” – Acts 8:33)

“…and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors” – Isa. 53:12 

“Those men held Jesus in order that neither death nor Hell might ever be able to hold us. He was held in our place, so He says concerning us, as He said concerning His disciples in the garden, “If, therefore, you seek Me, let these go their way.” The great Substitute is held as a prisoner so that all for whom He stood as Surety might be set at liberty forever!” – C.H. Spurgeon, Majesty in Misery

​“…the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand” – John 18:22

“A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.” – Prov. 17:4

“And why was Jesus blasphemed by the “many other things” which they falsely laid to His charge? He was blasphemed that we might be justified! He was unrighteously accused and slandered in order that we might be able to boldly say, ‘Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died.’” – C.H. Spurgeon, Majesty in Misery 

“And the High Priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace.” – Matt. 26:62-63a

The multitude attending the court procession would have stood and listened in silent admiration (Matt. 7:28-29, 9:8, 26, 31, 33), the common people present would have believed on Jesus (Mk. 12:37, Matt. 12:23), the Pharisees, Lawyers, and Scribes would have been unable to give an answer in return to Jesus Christ (Matt. 22:46, Mk. 12:34, Lk. 20:40), and the soldiers who were standing guard in the courtroom would have removed the shackles from the Lord, saying, “Never a man spake like this Man” (John 7:46). 

“Then entered Satan into Judas…” – Luke 22:3

“And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.” – Jn. 13:27 

“…And the High Priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?” – Matt. 26:63-68

“Yet it is amazing that He should ever have permitted this indignity to be put upon Him. The spouse in the Canticles truly sings, “His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set” – exceeding the very stars of Heaven for brightness – yet they covered them over! His eyes flamed with love and in them there did gleam bright diamonds of pity for all the sorrows of mankind – yet those cruel men did hide those precious eyes of His, blindfolding the Christ of God!” – C.H. Spurgeon, Majesty in Misery

“He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall He not break, a smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory. And in His Name shall the Gentiles trust.”- Matt. 12:19-21 (Isa. 42:2-4) 

Article #7 on the Passion of Jesus Christ

“And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?” – Luke 22:47-48

“Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” - Luke 22:52-53

“Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.” – Matt. 26:31 (Zech. 13:6-7)

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” – Isa. 53:6

“And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man that is My Fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.” – Zech. 13:6-7

“For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in Me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning Me have an end.” - Luke 22:37

“Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” – Isa. 53:12

“He [Isaiah] looks beyond the Roman spear and nail, beyond the Jewish taunt and jeer, up to the Sacred Fount, from where all things flow and traces the crucifixion of Christ to the breast of Deity. He believes with Peter– ‘Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.’ We dare not impute to God the sin, but at the same time the fact, with all its marvelous effects in the world’s redemption, we must ever trace to the Sacred Fountain of Divine love. So does our Prophet. He says, ‘It pleased Jehovah to bruise Him.’ He overlooks both Pilate and Herod and traces it to the heavenly Father, the first Person in the Divine Trinity. ‘It pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.’” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Death of Christ 

“Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the Arm of the LORD revealed?” – Isa. 53:1

“What saith Isaiah? “The LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” If you carefully read through that fifty-third chapter of Isaiah, you will notice that, several times, in so many distinct words, the sin of Christ’s people is said to have been transferred to Him, and borne by Him.” – C.H. Spurgeon, Our Lord’s Substitution

Article #6 on the Passion of Jesus Christ 

"There was no rebellion in His heart against the will of the Father to whom He had so completely subjected Himself. But unreservedly He cried, “Not as I will, but as You will.” No clarion blast, nor firing of cannons, nor waving of flags, nor acclamation of the multitudes ever announced such a victory as our Lord achieved in Gethsemane! He there won the victory over all the griefs that were upon Him and all the griefs that were soon to roll over Him like huge Atlantic billows! He there won the victory over death and even over the wrath of God which He was about to endure to the utmost for His people’s sake! There is true courage, there is the highest heroism, there is the declaration of the Invincible Conqueror in that cry, “Not as I will, but as You will.”

With Christ’s perfect resignation, there was also His strong resolve. He had undertaken the work of His people's redemption and He would go through with it until He could triumphantly say from the Cross, “It is finished!” A man can sometimes dash forward and do a deed of extraordinary daring, but it is the long-sustained agony that is the real test of courageous endurance.” – C.H. Spurgeon, Christ in Gethsemane

“He suffered all the horror of Hell – in one pelting shower of iron wrath it fell upon Him with hailstones bigger than a talent. And He stood until the black cloud had emptied itself completely. There was our debt, huge and immense. He paid the utmost farthing of whatever His people owed.” C.H. Spurgeon, The Death of Christ

“But please observe…the dignity of His sacred Person made Him the most proper person for a Substitute. A mere man could at most only be a substitute for one other man. Crush him as you will, and make him feel in his life every pang which flesh is heir to, but he can only suffer what one man would have suffered. He could not, I will venture to say, even then have suffered an equivalent for that eternal misery which the ungodly deserve. And if He were a mere man, he must suffer precisely the same.

A difference may be made in the penalty, when there is a difference in the person, but if the person be the same, the penalty must be precisely and exactly the same in degree and in quality. But the dignity of the Son of God, the dignity of His nature, changes the whole matter. A God bowing His head, and suffering, and dying in the person of Manhood, puts such a singular efficacy into every groan and every pang, that it needs not that His pangs should be eternal, or that He should die a second death.” – C.H. Spurgeon, Expiation

“For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” – 1 Tim. 2:5-6

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?” – Heb. 9:14

Physically & Spiritually: The Passion of Jesus Christ in Body & Spirit

“He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall my righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.” - Isa 53:11

Article #5 on the Passion of Jesus Christ 

“Our Lord Jesus, moreover, meant us to see that our sin changed everything about Him into sorrow–it turned His riches into poverty, His peace into travail, His glory into shame–and so the place of His peaceful retirement, where, in hallowed devotion He had been nearest Heaven in communion with God, our sin transformed into the focus of His sorrow, the center of His woe. Where He had enjoyed most, there He must be called to suffer most.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Agony in Gethsemane
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“But the soul-suffering of our Lord was more intense than all. This was inconceivable, indescribable. Listen to the cry in Gethsemane, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” The billows of God’s wrath began now to penetrate His nature, the storm to break in upon His soul. Oh, that was a terrible moment! It was only now that He began to succumb to the woe. Before this He had maintained a comparatively calm and uncomplaining demeanor.” – C.H. Spurgeon, Christ’s Finished Work 

“Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.” - John 5:19-20

The Consciousness, Sinlessness, & Omniscience of the Sacrifice

“For, first, He is perfectly adapted for the work of saving. The singular constitution of His Nature adapts Him to His office. He is God. It was necessary that He should be so. Who but God could sustain the enormous weight of human guilt? What but Divinity was equal to bear the awful load of wrath which was to be carried upon His shoulders? What knowledge but Omniscience could understand all the evil, and what power but Omnipotence could undo that evil? That Christ is God must ever be a theme for grateful admiration to His people.” – C.H. Spurgeon, Christ-Perfect Through Sufferings

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” – Matt. 26:36-39

“And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” - Mark 14:32-36

“And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” - Luke 22:41-44

Sins in Totality, Individually, Personally, Situationally, Historically, Timelessly, & Quantifiably

“The old physician, Galen, gives an instance in which, through extremity of horror, an individual poured forth a discolored sweat, so nearly crimson as, at any rate, to appear to have been blood. Other cases are given by medical authorities.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Agony in Gethsemane

“Hematidrosis is a well-documented physical condition characterized by at least one occurrence of bloody-sweat excretion from intact skin. Hemoglobin concentration in the blood sweat is lower than that which would typically be found in blood, which indicates a dilution of blood through the contents of sweat (Wang (2021)). The bleeding is thought to originate from blood leakage from ruptured capillaries into sweat glands (Kluger (2018)). Bleeding from other causes, and clotting and blood platelet disorders are often ruled out in case study examinations, and is seen to occur from various locations including the face, forehead, eyes, ears, umbilicus, upper and lower limbs, abdomen, extremities, mouth, and tongue (Kluger (2018)). Intense fear, stress, and mental complications, such as that experienced through the breaking apart of families, the loss of a loved one, or within inmates on death-row, are said to be the significant causative factors according to an older study of 76 cases, as well as a systematic review of 25 known cases of hematidrosis occurring from 1996 to 2016 (Holoubek (1996), Kluger (2018)).”

“When a person is undergoing intense emotional distress, fear, or anguish, the amygdala in the brain is activated, leading to the release of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline which dilate the airways and constrict the blood vessels so as to target more blood to vital organs. Severe constriction and subsequent leaking of blood vessels into the sweat glands in individuals undergoing extreme distress is believed to be the causative factor of this morbid condition (Duffin, 2017). The fact that the sweat of Jesus was as “great drops of blood” supports His declaration that His soul was “exceeding sorrowful, even unto death”, in that the magnitude of His sorrow was affecting the physical estate of His body so much that it would kill Him, if not for divine intervention, as is indicated by the angel from heaven which appeared to strengthen Him (Lk. 22:43).” – Dr. Preethi Morris

“‘Tis midnight, and on Olive’s brow
the star is dimmed that lately shone.
‘Tis midnight; in the Garden now
the suff'ring Savior prays alone.
 
‘Tis midnight, and from all removed,
Immanuel wrestles ’lone with fears.
E’en that disciple whom he loved
heeds not his Master’s grief and tears.
 
‘Tis midnight, and for others’ guilt
the Man of Sorrows weeps in blood.
Yet he who hath in anguish knelt
is not forsaken by his God.”
– William B. Tappan

“As the mighty mass of their guilt came rolling upon Him, His Father saw that the Human soul and the Human body both needed to be upheld, otherwise they would have been utterly crushed before the Atoning work had been accomplished.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Weakened Christ Strengthened 

Internal Conflicts in the Godhead

“He did not die in the Garden, but He suffered as much as if He had died. He endured death intensively, though not extensively. It did not extend to the making His body a corpse, but it went as far in pain as if it had been so. His pangs and anguish went up to the mortal agony and only paused on the verge of death. Luke, to crown all, tells us in our text, that our Lord was in an agony. The expression, “agony,” signifies a conflict, a contest, a wrestling. With whom was the agony? With whom did He wrestle? I believe it was with Himself. The contest here intended was not with His God – no – “not as I will but as You will,” does not look like wrestling with God. It was not a contest with Satan, for, as we have already seen, He would not have been so sorely amazed had that been the conflict. It was a terrible combat within Himself, an agony within His own soul.” C.H. Spurgeon, The Agony in Gethsemane
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“Nothing causes a man more torture than to be dragged here and there with contending emotions. As civil war is the worst and most cruel kind of war, so a war within a man’s soul, when two great passions in him struggle for the mastery, and both noble passions, too, causes a trouble and distress which none but he that feels it can understand.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Agony in Gethsemane

“How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together. I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter into the city.” – Hos. 11:8-9

“For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.” – Ex. 33:5

“And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” – Ex. 32:30-32

“And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.” – Deut. 9:18-19

“Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.” – Psalm 106:23

The Sinless Son of God Legally Became a Sinner

“Do you wonder that His infinite purity started back from that? Would He have been what He was if it had not been a very solemn thing for Him to stand before God in the position of a sinner? Yes, and as Luther would have said it, to be looked upon by God as if He were all the sinners in the world, and as if He had committed all the sin that ever had been committed by His people – for it was all laid on Him and on Him must the vengeance due for it all be poured. He must be the center of all the vengeance and bear away upon Himself what ought to have fallen upon the guilty sons of men. To stand in such a position, when once it was realized, must have been very terrible to the Redeemer’s holy soul.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Agony in Gethsemane

“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin…” – 2 Cor. 5:21

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:” – Rom. 8:3

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” – Heb. 10:10

“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the Tree…” – 1 Pet. 2:24

The Eternal Spirit of the Son Made the Offering: Upon Legally Becoming a Sinner, Jesus Christ Courageously Faced the Wrath of God!

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?” – Heb. 9:14

“He was enduring, at that time, what we ought to have endured – and He was draining the cup which Justice had mingled for us. Did He start back from it? Oh, no! When He first came to drink of that wormwood and gall in the Garden, He put it to His lips and the draught seemed, for an instant, to stagger even His Strong Spirit. His soul was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death. He was like one demented, tossed to and fro with inward agony. “My Father,” He said, “if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me.” Three times did He utter that prayer, while every portion of His Manhood was the battlefield of legions of griefs! His soul rushed out at every pore to find a vent for its swelling woes! His whole body became covered with gory sweat.

After that tremendous struggle, the strength of Love mastered the weakness of Manhood – He put that cup to His lips and never shrank – He drank right on till not a drop was left! And now the cup of wrath is empty – no trace of the terrible wine of the wrath of God can be found within it! At one tremendous draught of love the Lord drank destruction dry, forever, for all His people. “Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yes, rather, that has risen again.” And “there is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Crown of Thorns

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?” – Isa. 53:1

“And He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him.” – Isa. 59:16

“And there appeared an angel unto Him from Heaven, strengthening Him.” – Lk. 22:43
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“This was the Father’s reply to the cry of His fainting Son who was enduring an infinity of sorrow because of His people’s sin and who must, therefore, be Divinely upheld as to His Manhood, lest He should be utterly crushed beneath the terrible weight that was pressing upon His holy soul.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Weakened Christ Strengthened

“And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear His cross.” – Matt. 27:32

Article #4 on the Passion of Jesus Christ 

“We have thus come to the gate of the Garden of Gethsemane, let us now enter – but first, let us take off our shoes, as Moses did, when he saw the bush which burned with fire and was not consumed. Surely we may say with Jacob, ‘How dreadful is this place!’” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Agony in Gethsemane

“May we not conceive that as in a garden Adam’s self-indulgence ruined us, so in another Garden the agonies of the second Adam should restore us? Gethsemane supplies the medicine for the ills which followed upon the forbidden fruit of Eden. No flowers which bloomed upon the banks of the four-fold river were ever so precious to our race as the bitter herbs which grew hard by the black and sullen stream of Kidron.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Agony in Gethsemane

“Now the mere dying you could bear, as martyrs have done, but not the dying with all that weight of sin legally placed upon you! Oh, who can tell what must have been the horror which took hold upon the Savior, and how true must have been His expression when He said, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death”? The Holy One in the sinner’s place! An angel in a dungeon! The God of Heaven veiled in human flesh to be hung upon the gallows as a malefactor–start as you think of it and then try to conceive, if you can, what must have been the horror of His soul!” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Suffering Christ Satisfied

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” – 1 Jn. 4:4

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” – Rom. 8:37

​Animal Sacrifices in the Old Testament

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” - John 1:29

“And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” – 1 John 2:2

“For the Law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” – Heb. 10:1

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one Man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.” – Rom. 5:12-16

“For since by man came death, by Man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” – 1 Cor. 15:21-22 

The Legal & Ceremonious Process of Imputation in the Old Testament

“And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty; When the sin, which they have sinned against it, is known, then the congregation shall offer a young bullock for the sin, and bring him before the tabernacle of the congregation. And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the LORD: and the bullock shall be killed before the LORD.” - Lev 4:13-15

“And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:” - Lev 16:21 (Lev. 26:40) 

“The act of transference of sin to the victim next calls for our attention. You will have noticed, in reading the chapter, that our Lord’s being made sin is set forth to us by the very significant transfer of sin to the bullock, which was made by the priest, or by the elders of the people, as the case might be.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Sin Offering

“This laying of the hand does not appear to have been a mere touch of contact, but in some other places of Scripture has the meaning of leaning heavily, as in the expression, “Your wrath lies hard upon me” (Ps. 88:7). Surely this is the very essence and nature of faith, which does not only bring us into contact with the great Substitute, but teaches us to lean upon Him with all the burden of our guilt, so that if our sins are very weighty, yet we see Him as able to bear them all. And mark, the whole weight of our iniquity taken off from us, who must have been crushed to the lowest hell thereby, and laid on Him who took the weight and bore it all, and then buried it in His sepulcher forever.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Sin Offering

“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” – 2 Cor. 5:21

“Here be careful to observe who transferred the sin. God the Father laid on Jesus the iniquities of us all. Man could not make Christ sin. Man could not transfer his guilt to another.’ – C.H. Spurgeon, Christ-Our Substitute

“Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin” – Isa. 53:10

“He shall bear their iniquities” – Isa. 53:11

“He bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors” – Isa. 53:12

“the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all” – Isa. 53:6

“He is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter” – Isa. 53:7

“for the transgression of My people was He stricken” – Isa. 53:8 

“Will not your love be excited when you think of the difficulty of this imputation? ‘He has made Him to be sin.’ None but God could have put sin upon Christ. It is well said that there is no lifting of sin from one person to another. There is no such thing, as far as we are concerned, but things which are impossible with man are possible with God.” – C.H. Spurgeon, Christ Made Sin

“Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” – Isa. 53:4

“[God] hath put Him to grief” – Isa. 53:10

“[God] shall see the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied” – Isa. 53:11 

Article #3 on the Passion of Jesus Christ 

The Sore Amazement of the Man of Sorrows

“It is dishonoring to our Lord to imagine Him less brave than His own disciples, yet we have seen some of the most feeble of His saints triumphant in the prospect of departing. Read the stories of the martyrs and you will frequently find them exultant in the near approach of the most cruel sufferings. The joy of the Lord has given such strength to them that no cowardly thought has alarmed them for a single moment–they have gone to the stake, or to the block with songs of victory upon their lips! Our Master must not be thought of as inferior to His boldest servants! It cannot be that He should tremble where they were brave. Oh, no! The noblest spirit among yon band of martyrs is the Leader, Himself, who in suffering and heroism surpassed them all!” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Agony in Gethsemane

“…the governor ordered him to be immediately scourged. He was then beaten with iron rods, set upon a wooden horse, and had his limbs dislocated. These tortures he endured with fortitude and perseverance; when he was ordered to be fastened to a large gridiron, with a slow fire under it, that his death might be the more lingering. His astonishing constancy during these trials, and serenity of countenance while under such excruciating torments, gave the spectators so exalted an idea of the dignity and truth of the Christian religion, that many became converts upon the occasion, of whom was Romanus, a soldier.” (Laurentius; in the eight persecution, under Valerian in A.D. 257; Foxe’s Book of Martyrs) 

“…the patience with which they met death: they seemed all resignation and piety, fervently praying to God, and cheerfully encountering their fate." (Persecution in Italy under Pope Pius the Fourth; Foxe’s Book of Martyrs) 

“…and when they had called the Apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His Name.” - Acts 5:40-41

“‘…I would not be separated from this noble company of martyrs:’ so saying, he cheerfully resigned his neck to the block.” (Persecutions in Bohemia under the Papacy)

“On the morning of the day appointed for the execution, a cannon was fired as a signal to bring the prisoners from the castle to the principal market-place, in which scaffolds were erected, and a body of troops were drawn up to attend the tragic scene. The prisoners left the castle with as much cheerfulness as if they had been going to an agreeable entertainment, instead of a violent death.” (Persecutions in Bohemia under the Papacy) 

“He embraced the stake with great cheerfulness, and when they went behind him to set fire to the fagots, he said, "Come here, and kindle it before my eyes; for if I had been afraid of it, I had not come to this place." The fire being kindled, he sung a hymn, but was soon interrupted by the flames; and the last words he was heard to say these:—'This soul in flames I offer.’” (Jerome of Prague; Persecutions in Bohemia under the Papacy) 

“And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour.” - John 12:23-26

“The next day they were led to the place appointed for them to suffer; in their way to which, Russel, seeing his fellow-sufferer have the appearance of timidity in his countenance, thus addressed him: "Brother, fear not; greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world. The pain that we are to suffer is short, and shall be light; but our joy and consolation shall never have an end. Let us, therefore, strive to enter into our Master and Saviour's joy, by the same straight way which he hath taken before us. Death cannot hurt us, for it is already destroyed by Him, for whose sake we are now going to suffer."
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When they arrived at the fatal spot, they both kneeled down and prayed for some time; after which being fastened to the stake, and the fagots lighted, they cheerfully resigned their souls into the hands of Him who gave them, in full hopes of an everlasting reward in the heavenly mansions.” (Jerom Russel & Alexander Kennedy; an account of the persecution in Scotland during the reign of King Henry VIII) ​

“And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.” – John 12:23-33

“Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Heb. 12:2 

“And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” - Acts 6:15

“Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.” – Matt. 20:20-23

“Being asked why he would obstinately persist in his opinions and leave his wife and children in distress, he replied, I shall not leave them in distress; I have recommended them to the care of an excellent trustee. What trustee? said the person who had asked the question, with some surprise: to which Faninus answered, Jesus Christ is the trustee I mean, and I think I could not commit them to the care of a better. On the day of execution he appeared remarkably cheerful, which one observing, said, it is strange you should appear so merry upon such an occasion, when Jesus Christ himself, just before his death, was in such agonies, that he sweated blood and water. To which Faninus replied; Christ sustained all manner of pangs and conflicts, with hell and death, on our accounts; and thus, by his sufferings, freed those who really believe in him from the fear of them. He was then strangled, and his body being burnt to ashes, they were scattered about by the wind.” (Faninus; an account of the persecution in Italy under the papacy) 

“The bitterness of sin was there, but He has taken that away for all who believe in Him. His Father’s wrath was there, but He drank that all up and left not a single drop for any of His people. One of the martyrs, as he was on his way to the stake, was so supremely happy that a friend said to him, ‘Your Savior was full of sorrow when He agonized for you in Gethsemane.’ ‘Yes,’ replied the martyr, ‘and for that very reason I am so happy, for He bore all the sorrow for me.’ – C.H. Spurgeon, Christ in Gethsemane

“Gardiner himself was then tormented in the most excruciating manner; but in the midst of all his torments he gloried in the deed. Being ordered for death, a large fire was kindled near a gibbet, Gardiner was drawn up to the gibbet by pulleys, and then let down near the fire, but not so close as to touch it; for they burnt or rather roasted him by slow degrees. Yet he bore his sufferings patiently and resigned his soul to the Lord cheerfully.” (William Gardiner who was martyred by the King of Portugal) 

“This Nicholas Burton by the way, and in the flames of fire, had so cheerful a countenance, embracing death with all patience and gladness…” (the martyrdom of an English Merchant in Spain)

“At Revel, Cateline Girard being at the stake… submitted cheerfully to the flames.” (Catelin Girard; an account of the persecutions the Waldenses in the Valleys of Piedmont) 

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” – Matt. 10:16-20

“The governor of the castle, who stood so near that he was singed with the flame, exhorted our martyr, in a few words, to be of good cheer, and to ask the pardon of God for his offences. To which he replied, "This flame occasions trouble to my body, indeed, but it hath in nowise broken my spirit. But he who now so proudly looks down upon me from yonder lofty place (pointing to the cardinal) shall, ere long, be as ignominiously thrown down, as now he proudly lolls at his ease." Which prediction was soon after fulfilled. The executioner then pulled the rope which was tied about his neck with great violence, so that he was soon strangled; and the fire getting strength, burnt with such rapidity that in less than an hour his body was totally consumed.” (George Wishart of Scotland, Foxe’s Book of Martyrs; an account of the persecution in Scotland during the reign of King Henry VIII) 

“After the ceremony of degradation was over, the bishops delivered Dr. Huss to the emperor, who put him into the hands of the duke of Bavaria. His books were burnt at the gates of the church; and on the 6th of July, he was led to the suburbs of Constance, to be burnt alive. On his arrival at the place of execution, he fell on his knees, sung several portions of the Psalms, looked steadfastly towards heaven, and repeated these words: "Into thy hands, O Lord! do I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O most good and merciful God!"

When the chain was put about him at the stake, he said, with a smiling countenance, "My Lord Jesus Christ was bound with a harder chain than this for my sake, and why then should I be ashamed of this rusty one?"

The flames were now applied to the fagots, when our martyr sung a hymn with so loud and cheerful a voice, that he was heard through all the cracklings of the combustibles, and the noise of the multitude. At length his voice was interrupted by the severity of the flames, which soon closed his existence.” (John Huss; Persecutions in Bohemia under the Papacy) ​

“…as James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser was brought to repent of his conduct by the apostle's extraordinary courage and undauntedness, and fell down at his feet to request his pardon, professing himself a christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone. Hence they were both beheaded at the same time. Thus did the first apostolic martyr cheerfully and resolutely receive that cup, which he had told our Saviour he was ready to drink.” 

“Tobias Steffick was remarkable for his affability and serenity of temper. He was perfectly resigned to his fate, and a few minutes before his death spoke in this singular manner, "I have received, during the whole course of my life, many favours from God; ought I not therefore cheerfully to take one bitter cup, when he thinks proper to present it? Or rather, ought I not to rejoice, that it is his will I should give up a corrupted life for that of immortality!" (Foxe’s Book of Martyrs) 

“Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.” – John 12:27

“And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt.” - Mar 14:35-36

“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” - John 10:17-18

“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” – 1 John 4:14

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” – Rom. 8:31-32

“And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a Lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.” – Gen. 22:6-10 [The Gospel = The Quintessential Expression of Sovereignty]

“I want your imaginations for one minute to picture a scene of olden times. There is a bearded Patriarch who rises early in the morning and awakes his son, a young man full of strength, and bids him arise and follow him. They hurry from the house silently and noiselessly, before the mother is awake. They go three days' journey with their men until they come to the mountain, of which the Lord has spoken. You know the Patriarch. The name of Abraham is always fresh in our memories. On the way that Patriarch speaks not one solitary word to his son. His heart is too full for utterance. He is overwhelmed with grief. God has commanded him to take his son, his only son, and slay him upon the mountain as a sacrifice. They go together. And who shall paint the unutterable anguish of the father’s soul, while he walks side by side with that beloved son of whom he is to be the executioner?

The third day has arrived. The servants are bid to stay at the foot of the hill, while they go to worship God yonder. Now, can any mind imagine how the father’s grief must overflow all the banks of his soul, when, as he walked up that hillside his son said to him, “Father, behold the fire and the wood. But where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?” Can you conceive how he stifled his emotions and, with sobs, exclaimed, “My son, God will provide himself a lamb”? Look! The father has communicated to his son the fact that God has demanded his life. Isaac, who might have struggled and escaped from his father declares that he is willing to die if God has decreed it. The father takes his son, binds his hands behind his back, piles up the stones, makes an altar, lays the wood and has his fire ready. And now where is the artist that can depict the anguish of the father’s countenance when the knife is unsheathed and he holds it up–ready to slay his son?

But here the curtain falls. Now the black scene vanishes at the sound of a Voice from Heaven. The ram caught in the thicket supplies the substitute and faith’s obedience needs go no further. Ah, my Brethren. I want to take you from this scene to a far greater one. What faith and obedience made man do, that love constrained God Himself to do. He had but one Son, that Son His own heart’s delight. He covenanted to yield Him up for our redemption, nor did He violate His promise. For, when the fullness of time was come, He sent His Son to be born of the Virgin Mary that He might suffer for the sins of man.
Oh, can you tell the greatness of that love which made the everlasting God not only put His Son upon the altar but actually do the deed and thrust the sacrificial knife into His Son’s heart? Can you think how overwhelming must have been the love of God towards the human race when He completed in act what Abraham only did in intention? Look there and see the place where His only Son hung dead upon the Cross–the bleeding Victim of awakened Justice! Here is love indeed. And here we see how it was that it pleased the Father to bruise Him.

This allows me to push my text just one point further. Beloved, it is not only true that God did design and did permit with willingness the death of Christ. It is, moreover true, that the unutterable agonies that clothed the death of the Savior with superhuman terror, were the effect of the Father’s bruising of Christ in very act and deed.

There is a martyr in prison: the chains are on his wrists and yet he sings. It has been announced to him that tomorrow is his burning day. He claps his hands right merrily and smiles while he says, “It will be sharp work tomorrow. I shall breakfast below on fiery tribulations, but afterwards I will sup with Christ! Tomorrow is my wedding day, the day for which I have long panted, when I shall sign the testimony of my life by a glorious death.”

The time is come. The men with the halberds precede him through the streets. Mark the serenity of the martyr’s countenance. He turns to some who look upon him and exclaims, “I value these iron chains far more than if they had been of gold. It is a sweet thing to die for Christ.” There are a few of the boldest of the saints gathered round the stake and as he unrobes himself, before he stands upon the fire wood to receive his doom, he tells them that it is a joyous thing to be a soldier of Christ–to be allowed to give his body to be burned. And he shakes hands with them and bids them “Good bye,” with merry cheer.

One would think he were going to his wedding, rather than to be burned. He steps upon the fire wood. The chain is put about his middle. And after a brief word of prayer, as soon as the fire begins to ascend, he speaks to the people with manful boldness. But hark, he sings while the fire wood is cracking and the smoke is blowing upward. He sings and when his nether parts are burned he still goes on chanting sweetly some Psalm of old. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble; therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed and the mountain be carried into the midst of the sea.”

Picture another scene. There is the Savior going to His Cross, all weak and wan with suffering. His soul is sick and sad within Him. There is no Divine composure there. So sad is His heart that He faints in the streets. The Son of God faints beneath a Cross that many a criminal might have carried. They nail him to the Tree. There is no song of praise. He is lifted up in the air and there He hangs preparatory to His death. You hear no shout of exultation. There is a stern compression of His face, as if unutterable agony were tearing His heart – as if over again Gethsemane were being acted on the Cross – as if His soul were still saying, “If it is possible let this Cross pass from Me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Hark! He speaks. Will He not sing sweeter songs than ever came from martyr’s lips? Ah, no–it is an awful wail of woe that can never be imitated. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” The martyrs said not that – God was with them. Confessors of old cried not so when they came to die. They shouted in their fires and praised God on their racks. Why this? Why does the Savior suffer so? Why, Beloved, it was because the Father bruised Him. – C.H. Spurgeon, The Death of Christ 

Article #2 on the Passion of Jesus Christ 

Luke 4:1-4

Luke 4:14-30

Luke 8:26-39

Matthew 8:23-27

Matthew 14:22-33

John 18:3-11 

“As soon then as He had said unto them, I AM, they went backward, and fell to the ground.” – John 18:6

“There was a majestic flash of His Deity even in the hour of the abasement of His Humanity – and they fell prostrate before the God who had thus confessed that the name of Jehovah rightly belonged to Him! – C.H. Spurgeon, Christ in Gethsemane

“Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” - John 18:10-11

Article #1 on the Passion of Jesus Christ 

“Readers of old theology will have remarked how constantly the fathers were accustomed to dwell upon the wounds of Jesus slain.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Water and the Blood
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“I would it were more the practice of believers nowadays…to learn the divine lessons which are discoverable in the wounds of Jesus as well as the sacred admonitions bequeathed to us by the words of His mouth.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Water and the Blood 

“‘Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us!’ Behold it in the sweat of blood which stained Gethsemane! Behold it in the scourging which has made the name of Gabbatha a terror! Behold it in ‘the pains, and groans, and dying strife’ of Calvary! Bow, did I say? Prostrate your spirits!” – C.H. Spurgeon, Christ Made Sin  
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“Show and parade cease to attract the soul when once the superlative excellencies of the dying Savior have been discerned by the enlightened eyes! Who seeks for ease when he has seen the Lord Christ?” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Crown of Thorns 

“Yet He is no sooner in Gethsemane than He says to the three especially favored disciples, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death: tarry you here and watch with Me.’ I do not think that this great conflict arose through our dear Master’s fear of death, nor through His fear of the physical pain and all the ignominy and shame that He was so soon to endure. But, surely, the agony in Gethsemane was part of the great burden that was already resting upon Him as His people’s Substitute–it was this that pressed His spirit down even into the dust of death. He was to bear the full weight of it upon the Cross, but I am persuaded that the Passion began in Gethsemane.

You know that Peter writes, “Who His own Self bore our sins in His own body on the Tree.” But we are not to gather from that passage that His substitutionary sufferings were limited to the Tree, for the original might bear this rendering–that He bore our sins in His own body up to the Tree–that He came up to the tree bearing that awful load and still continued to bear it on the Tree! You remember that Peter also writes, in the same verse, “by whose stripes you were healed.” These stripes did not fall upon Jesus when He was upon the Cross–it was in Pilate’s Judgment Hall that He was so cruelly scourged! I believe that He was bearing our sins all His life, but that the terrible weight of with infinite intensity when He was nailed to the Cross–and so forced from Him the agonizing cry, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” – C.H. Spurgeon, Christ in Gethsemane

“To whom also He shewed Himself alive after His Passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God:” - Acts 1:3

“Yet would I exhort you to consider these griefs, that you may love the Sufferer.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Agony in Gethsemane

“the commencement of His Passion sufferings” – C.H. Spurgeon, Jesus in Gethsemane

“the difficulty of this imputation” – C.H. Spurgeon, Christ Made Sin

“Learn next…the matchless love of Jesus, that for your sakes and mine He would not merely suffer in body, but consented even to bear the horror of being accounted a sinner!” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Agony in Gethsemane

“Oh Soul, sin must be an awful thing if it so crushed our Lord! If the very imputation of it fetched bloody sweat from the pure and holy Savior, what must sin, itself, be? Avoid it, pass not by it, turn away from the very appearance of it, walk humbly and carefully with your God that sin may not harm you, for it is an exceeding plague, an infinite pest!” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Agony in Gethsemane

“Yet there was our Master, all stained with His own blood, for His heart’s floods had burst their banks and run all over Him in a gory torrent!” – C.H. Spurgeon, Christ in Gethsemane 

“Trouble of spirit is worse than pain of body…” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Agony in Gethsemane

“But still the sufferings of His soul must have been the very soul of His sufferings, and can you tell what they were?” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Sin Offering

“Observe the text says, ‘The travail of His soul.’ We are not to depreciate the bodily sufferings of Christ, but still it has been well said that ‘the soul-sufferings of Christ were the soul of His sufferings.’ Brothers and Sisters, there was so much in the outward agony of Christ, that my ears have tingled and my heart burned with wrath when I have heard certain theologians speak lightly of it! Speak lightly of the sweat of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane? Speak lightly of shame, spitting and the crown of thorns? Oh, Sirs, dare you think and speak lightly of the piercing of His hands and of His feet, and of the fever which those wounds engendered, and that thirst which the fever and the broiling sun together brought on, and the rending of those hands when the feet could no longer support the body and the iron tore through the nerves? Is nothing or little to be said of all this? God forbid, Brothers and Sisters!
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We believe that the body of Christ took its full share of the chastisement. By His stripes we are healed! By His scourging and bodily chastisements we get at least a portion of the healing balm which cures the disease of sin! Our sin was with the body and Christ’s Atonement was with the body. Our flesh was sinful and, therefore, His flesh must suffer. Had we been simply spirits and as spirits, alone, had sinned, a spirit might have made Atonement for us–and a soul bereft of a body might have been a perfect substitute–but we are Sons of Adam and still wear this red earth about us! And as we sin in the body, so must the Savior, with hands, feet, brow and every member of His blessed frame, be made to suffer to make Atonement for our guilt! Still, still, the travail of His soul was the chief matter and it is that the text speaks about! Where shall I find a golden reed with which to measure this city, or where shall I find a plumb line with which to fathom the depths of agony which I now see before me? Jesus Christ suffered so that I despair of conceiving His sufferings, or of conveying them to you by any form of words.” – C.H. Spurgeon, The Suffering Christ Satisfied 

“I do not know whether what Adam Clarke supposes is correct, that in the Garden Christ did pay more of the price than he did even on the Cross; but I am quite convinced that they are very foolish who get to such refinement that they think the Atonement was made on the Cross, and nowhere else at all. We believe that it was made in the Garden as well as on the Cross - and it strikes me that in the garden one part of Christ's work was finished, wholly finished, and that was his conflict with Satan.”– C.H. Spurgeon, Gethsemane