基督的受苦
“上帝就是爱”(约壹4:8,16)。上帝在赐下自己的爱子上对堕落人类表现的大爱，使圣天使惊讶。“上帝爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们。叫一切信祂的，不至灭亡，反得永生”(约3:16)。圣子原是圣父荣耀所发的光辉，是祂本体的真像。祂具有神性的卓越和伟大。祂本与上帝同等。父喜悦让一切的丰盛都住在祂里面。祂“不以自己与上帝同等的强夺的，反倒虚己，取了奴仆的形像，成为人的样式;既有人的样子，就自己卑微，存心顺服，以至于死，且死在十字架上”(腓2:6-8)。{PH169 1.1}
为了更充分地理解救恩的价值，我们必须明白它的代价。由于对上帝圣子的受苦认识有限，许多人低估了赎罪的大工。{PH169 1.2}
基督情愿替人而死，使人类藉着顺从的生活，可以免除上帝律法的刑罚。祂的死并没有使律法失效，减少其神圣的要求，也没有贬损其神圣庄严。基督情愿亲自承受律法的刑罚，以便拯救堕落的人类脱离其咒诅，祂的死就宣示了祂父律法刑罚犯罪之人的公义。上帝爱子在十字架上的死亡，显明上帝的律法是永不变更的。祂的死使律法为大为尊，向人证明律法不变的性质。从祂神圣的口中可听到这样的话： “莫想我来要废掉律法”(太5:17)。{PH169 1.3}
在基督里面，人性与神性相结合。祂的使命是使人与上帝和好，让有限的与无限联合起来。这是堕落的人类藉着基督宝血的功劳得以提高，与上帝的性情有分的唯一方法。基督取了人性，以便能理解人的试炼、忧苦和所遭遇的一切试探的性质。天使既不了解罪恶，就无法体恤人类所受的特别试炼。基督屈尊取了人性，以便知道怎样搭救凡要受试探的人。{PH169 2.1}
祂既具有人性，就觉得自己需要从父来的力量。祂有特选的祷告之处。祂爱在寂静的山中与祂的父交通。在这样的经验中，祂得到力量应付日常的本分及试炼。我们的救主认同我们的需要和软弱，因为祂变成一位请求者，夜夜祈求，追求祂父增援新的力量，获得振作与鼓舞，毅然应付本分与磨难。祂是我们在凡事上的榜样，是我们在忧患软弱中的弟兄，但祂却没有人的情欲。祂既是无罪的，祂的本性也远避邪恶的事。祂在罪恶的世界中，经历了奋斗挣扎与心灵的煎熬。祂的人性使祷告成为一种需要和特权。祂为人类的益处便舍弃了天上的福乐，并选择到这冷漠无情及忘恩负义的世上居住。祂需要祂父所预备要给祂的全部神圣支援与安慰。基督在与祂父交往之中获得安慰和喜乐，在此可卸下那要将祂压碎的愁苦。祂是一位多受痛苦，常经忧患的人。{PH169 2.2}
祂在白天恳切向人行善，救人脱离灭亡。祂医治病人，安慰伤心的人，将喜乐和希望赐给灰心绝望的人。祂使死人得生。在做完了当天的工作之后，祂每晚离开混乱的城市，到一些僻静的地方，屈身祈求祂的父。曾有多次明亮的月光照在祂跪祷的身上，然后又有乌云和黑暗掩蔽了一切的光明。夜间的霜露落在这位恳求者的头上和胡须上。祂常常祈祷达整夜之久。那具有神性力量的人类救主，尚且觉得有祷告的需要。我们这软弱有罪必死的世人，更当如何觉得需要祈祷——需要热切的、不断的祈祷啊!当上帝的圣子在客西马尼园中屈身祈祷之时，祂忧苦的心情迫使毛孔出汗，像大血点一样。那惨怖的大黑暗就在此地笼罩住祂。全世界的罪恶也都堆在祂的身上。祂被当作干犯上帝的律法的，代替世人受苦。这是一幅试探的场景。祂看不到上帝的神圣亮光，却被交在黑暗权势的手中。祂于心灵极度忧伤痛苦之下，俯伏在冰冷的地上。祂正在感受天父的怒气。基督已取过了罪人唇上的苦杯，打算自己喝下去，而递给人类以福惠之杯。本来要降在人类身上的怒气，此时却降在基督的身上。那奥秘的杯，此时此地在祂手中抖颤不已。{PH169 3.1}
耶稣曾经时常同祂的门徒退到客西马尼园中默想和祷告。他们都很熟悉这块神圣的退隐之处。连犹大也晓得领那帮暴徒到什么地方，可以把耶稣交在他们手中。救主这次来到此地，满心愁苦，是从来未曾有过的。不是肉体的痛苦使上帝的圣子在此退缩，并在门徒之前被迫说出这些伤心的话：“我心里甚是忧伤，几乎要死;你们在这里等候，和我一同警醒”(太26:38)。{PH169 4.1}
祂离开门徒，稍往前行，相隔尚可听见祂声音那么远，便面伏在地祈祷说：“我父啊，倘若可行，求祢叫这杯离开我;然而不要照我的意思，只要照祢的意思”(太26:39)。这沉沦世界的罪恶都落在祂的身上，压倒了祂。天父为罪的缘故向祂变脸的感觉，使祂的心被刺骨的痛苦撕裂，汗珠迫出如大血点，从祂苍白的双颊滴落。{PH169 4.2}
祂跪着祷告起来后，来到门徒那里，见他们睡着了。祂对彼得说：“怎么样，你们不能同我警醒片时么?总要警醒祷告，免得入了迷惑;你们心灵固然愿意，肉体却软弱了”(太26:40-41)。在这最紧要的关头──在耶稣特请他们与祂一同警醒之时──门徒却睡着了。祂知道他们当前所要面临的，是惨重的斗争和可怕的试探。祂领他们与祂同在，原想得他们的助力，并使他们对当夜所经历的事件，以及所接受的教训，铭记在心，永志不忘。这对于他们的信心不至丧失，反而加强，以便应付前面的考验，乃是必需的。{PH169 4.3}
然而他们不但没有与基督一同警醒，反倒为愁苦所累而睡着了。甚至热情的彼得，仅在数小时之前曾宣布说，他愿意为主受苦，如果必要的话，不辞一死，到此时竟也睡着了。在这千钧一发之际，当上帝圣子需要他们的同情及切心祷告之时，他们竟睡着了。他们这次的睡觉，损失重大。我们的救主原想要坚固他们，使他们可以应付快要经受的信心大试炼。如果他们曾用这段忧苦的时间与亲爱的救主一同警醒，一同祷告上帝，那么，彼得就不至于被撇下去凭自己微薄的力量以致否认自己的主了。{PH169 5.1}
上帝圣子第二次又去祷告说：“我父啊，这杯若不能离开我，必要我喝，就愿祢的意旨成全”(太26:42)。随后祂又来到门徒那里，见他们睡着了，因为他们的眼睛困倦。{PH169 5.2}
救主又忧伤地离开了睡着的门徒，第三次去祷告，说的还是同样的话。祈祷完了，祂又回来到他们那里，并说：“现在你们仍然睡觉安歇吧;时候到了，人子被卖在罪人手里了”(太26:45)。当他们神圣之主经受这场无可形容的精神痛苦之时，这班门徒竟然让睡觉关闭了他们的眼目，让打盹束缚了他们的感觉，真是何其忍心啊!如果他们曾一直警醒，则在目睹上帝圣子在十字架上牺牲之时，他们就不至于失掉信心了。这个重要的夜更应该以高尚的思想斗争和祈祷为特征，以便使他们得到力量，目睹上帝的儿子所受难言的痛苦。这种工作会使他们预备好，在见到主于十字架上受苦之时，能够领会一些主在客西马尼园中所受的压倒性痛苦的本质，同时也会使他们更能记起主曾向他们所说过的，关于祂受苦、受死及复活的话;以致在惨苦试验时辰的阴暗中，能有几道希望的光线照亮黑暗，支持他们的信心。基督已预先告诉他们这些将要发生的事，但他们却不明白。祂受苦的情景乃是门徒的一场火炼的试验，因此，警醒与祈祷确是必要的。他们若要得到战胜黑暗权势的经验，他们的信心就必须由一种看不见的力量来支持。{PH169 5.3}
上帝的爱子在客西马尼园中，想到自己因担当人类的罪，以致与天父隔绝，心中感到无可形容的痛苦，这种痛苦是我们难以想象的。祂为堕落的人类而成为罪。天父之爱离开了祂，这种感觉压迫在祂痛苦的心灵上，使祂发出了伤心的话说：“我心里甚是忧伤，几乎要死。”“倘若可行，求祢叫这杯离开我。”接着祂又完全顺服天父的旨意，并说：“然而不要照我的意思，只要照祢的意思”(太26:38-39)。{PH169 6.1}
上帝的圣子晕了过去，几乎要死。天父便差遣一位使者从祂座前出发，去加强这位神圣的受难者，使祂振作起来踏上祂血染的道路。众天军见天父在无言的忧伤中，断绝了祂爱子身上的光明、仁爱和荣耀的光线，极感惊异而悲伤。世人若能见到这幅情景，就必更能领会在天父的眼中，罪是何等的可憎可恨了。此时公义之剑挥向天父的爱子。以亲嘴为暗号，祂被卖在敌人的手中，匆匆地被带到世上的法庭中去受审，被有罪必死的世人戏弄并定死罪。荣耀的上帝圣子在那里“为我们的过犯受害，为我们的罪孽压伤。”祂忍受了侮辱、嘲笑和可耻的虐待，以致“祂的面貌比别人憔悴，祂的形容比世人枯槁”(赛53:5;52:14)。{PH169 6.2}
谁能领会这里所彰示的大爱呢?这位曾是天庭之君，曾戴荣耀冠冕的主，而今戴着荆棘的冠冕，在那帮被撒但怒气所激动、如疯如狂的暴徒手中，成为流血的牺牲者，众天军见到此种情景，极感惊奇和忧苦。看哪，这位忍受苦难的!祂的头上戴着荆棘冠冕，祂的生命之血从每条裂伤的血管中涌流而出。这一切都是罪的结果!只有那永恒的救赎大爱，方使基督离开天庭的尊荣和威严，到这罪恶的世界上，受祂所要拯救之人的忽视、轻视和拒绝，至终死在十字架上，这种爱永远是一个大奥秘!{PH169 7.1}
诸天啊，惊奇吧!大地啊，诧异吧!看哪，那迫害者和被迫害者!一大批的群众围着世界的救主。戏弄，嘲笑，加上粗鲁的谩骂。这些无情的败类竟妄评祂卑微的身世和卑微的生活。祭司长和长老们讥诮祂自称是上帝的儿子，从各人的口中吐出粗鄙的戏言和辱骂来攻击祂。撒但完全控制了他仆役的思想。为了达到这个效果，他煽动众祭司长和众长老，使他们充满宗教热狂。他们所受的怂恿，与那些穷凶极恶、铁石心肠的暴徒所受的鼓动，同是出于撒但的精神。从伪善的祭司和长老们，到最低微的人，都同流合污、沆瀣一气。上帝的宝贵的圣子基督被带往前方，十字架放在祂的肩上。每一步都留下了祂的伤处所流出的血迹。大群苦毒的仇敌和无情的观众簇拥着祂，带祂去钉十字架。“祂被欺压，在受苦的时候却不开口;祂像羊羔被牵到宰杀之地，又像羊在剪毛人的手下无声，祂也是这样不开口”(赛53:7)。{PH169 7.2}
祂那些伤心的门徒在这帮凶手暴徒的后面远远地跟着祂。祂被钉在十字架上，挂在天地之间。众门徒见到了自己所爱的夫子，受苦遭难像罪犯一样，他们心犹如刀绞。在十字架的附近，那些盲目、愚顽、无信的祭司和长老们，在讥诮、嘲弄、戏笑说：“祢这拆毁圣殿，三日又建造起来的，可以救自己吧;祢如果是上帝的儿子，就从十字架上下来吧。”“祂救了别人，不能救自己。祂是以色列的王，现在可以从十字架上下来，我们就信祂。祂依靠上帝，上帝若喜悦祂，现在可以救祂;因为祂曾说，我是上帝的儿子”(太27:40-43)。{PH169 8.1}
耶稣对于这一切的话，一言不答。当钉子钉透祂的双手，痛苦的汗珠从祂的毛孔迫出之时，由这位无辜受难者苍白颤动的口中，还是发出了饶恕之爱的祈祷，为谋害祂的凶手代求，说：“父啊，赦免他们; 因为他们所作的，他们不晓得”(路23:34)。全天庭都深深关注这个场景。这个沉沦世界的荣耀救赎主，为人类干犯天父律法的罪而受苦刑。祂即将用自己的血赎祂的子民。祂正在满足上帝圣洁律法的要求。藉着这种方法，罪恶与撒但终于有了结局，他的全军也将覆灭。{PH169 8.2}
救主临死之时所受的痛苦忧伤，真是古今所无!这种天父不悦的感觉，使祂的苦杯格外难以下咽。基督在十字架上气断得这样快，并非因为肉身的痛苦，乃是因为世人罪恶的重压，和对于天父怒气的感觉所致。天父的荣耀和持续的同在已离开了祂，伤心绝望之情使乌云黑暗重重压迫着祂，从祂苍白颤动的口唇中，迫出了痛苦的呼喊：“我的上帝，我的上帝，为什么离弃我”(太27:46)?{PH169 9.1}
耶稣曾与天父合作，创造这世界。在上帝圣子的难堪苦难之中，唯有那些盲目受迷惑的人仍然毫不动情。在上帝爱子痛苦欲绝之时，众祭司长和长老们谩骂祂，但那些无气息的自然界万物，却为其流血垂死之创造主同表哀悼。大地震动，太阳也不忍目睹此景。诸天漆黑，众天使眼见上帝的爱子受难，直到不忍再看，而在这可怖的景象前凄然掩面。基督这时快要断气!祂处于绝望之境!天父悦纳的笑容已然不见，众天使也不蒙许可前来减轻这惨怖时辰的苦闷。{PH169 9.2}
这位快要断气的上帝圣子，甚至也被疑惑之念所袭。祂无法看透坟墓之门，没有那种以胜利者的姿态从坟墓里出来，和天父要嘉纳祂牺牲的光明希望。世人的罪及其一切可怖可憎，使上帝圣子伤感至极。在这骇人幽暗之中，祂所能感到的，只是天父恨恶罪，及罪的刑罚乃是死而已。祂受了试探，深恐罪恶在祂父的眼中是这样的可憎，以致祂再不能与其爱子和好。这种以为自己已被其父永远丢弃了的凶猛试探，使祂在十字架上发出了扎心的呼喊：“我的上帝，我的上帝，为什么离弃我”(太27:46)?{PH169 10.1}
基督所感受的，正像罪人将来在上帝大怒的碗向其倾倒之时所感受的一样。黑暗的绝望犹如死亡的柩衣，要笼罩他们犯罪的心，那时他们就要充分明了罪的邪恶了。上帝圣子的受苦受死，已为他们的救恩付了代价;如果他们甘心乐意接受，这救恩就会归于他们;然而却没有一人要被迫屈从上帝的律法。如果他们拒绝上天的福惠，而选取罪恶的欢乐和欺骗，他们尽可自择，而至终必领受其工价，就是上帝的忿怒和永死。{PH169 10.2}
在基督断气痛苦之际，因为上帝从前所给祂爱子的嘉奖与悦纳的保证被取消了，信心和指望就为之战惊摇动。世人的救赎主这时只好凭靠着以前坚固祂的证据，就是祂父曾悦纳祂的劳苦及喜悦祂的工作。在祂临死痛苦之时，在祂舍弃其宝贵生命之际，祂只有本着信心靠赖自己素所乐从的父。在祂左右，并没有清楚明亮的希望曙光鼓励祂。四围的一切都是沉闷迫人。在天地一同为之深深惋惜哀悼的骇人幽暗中，救赎主饮尽了那神秘的苦杯，不留余滴。祂甚至放弃了自己将来必可得胜的光明指望和信念，大声喊着说：“父啊，我将我的灵魂交在祢手里”(路23:46)。祂熟悉祂父的品性，及其公正，慈悲，和大爱，因此祂存心顺服，把自己交在父的手中。在天变地动的大混乱中，那些惊奇的观众，都听到了这位“髑髅地之人”的断气遗言。{PH169 10.3}
自然界也为其创造主表同情。地壳凸起，岩石崩裂，宣告死亡的这位乃是上帝之子。那时有一场大地震，殿里的幔子裂为两半。观众和刽子手见到了天上的太阳昏暗无光，感到脚下的地球震动，以及耳闻目睹到岩石的崩裂，便惊惶至极。在基督把自己的灵魂交给祂父之时，祭司长及长老们的嘲弄和戏笑也止息了。惊惶的群众开始撤退，在黑暗之中摸索回城。他们一面行走，一面捶胸，心惊胆颤，暗地里低声私语说：“我们冤杀了一位无辜的人了，假若祂真如祂所宣示的，是上帝的儿子，该怎么办呢?”{PH169 11.1}
耶稣直到完成了自己降世要作的工，并在断气时宣布说：“成了”(约19:30) 之后，才舍弃了生命。至此撒但失败了，他知道自己的国度失掉了。在主说：“成了”之时，众天使大为欢乐。那有赖乎基督之死的伟大救赎计划，已实现到了这一步。天庭充满了喜庆，因为亚当的众后裔，藉着顺从的生活，而终能升高到上帝的宝座前。大哉此爱!奇哉此爱!这爱使上帝之子到地上来，为我们成为罪，使我们可以与上帝和好，并提拔我们与祂一同生活在祂的荣耀之所。唉，人算得什么呢，竟然要祂付上这么大的代价来救赎!{PH169 12.1}
何时人们能更充分了解天上大君为人代死的伟大牺牲，救恩的计划就必发扬光大，同时髑髅地反射的光，也要在基督徒的心中激起柔和、圣洁、活泼的情绪，并从他们的心中及口上发出赞美颂扬上帝和羔羊的声音。人若对于髑髅地的情景保持新鲜的回忆，骄傲与自大就不能在心中滋生。对于凡能赏识那救赎人类的代价之人，这世界就会显得没有什么价值。全世界的一切财富均不足以救赎一个将死的人。当基督被挂在十字架上为犯罪人类的罪恶而受苦之时，祂所感到的对这沉沦世界的爱，有谁能量度呢?这爱是无从量度的，是无穷无尽的。{PH169 12.2}
基督表明祂的爱比死更强。祂正在作成拯救人类之工。祂虽与黑暗的权势作最可怕的斗争，但祂的爱在这一切之中越变越强。祂忍受天父掩面不顾之苦，以致在心灵痛苦绝望之余喊着说：“我的上帝，我的上帝，为什么离弃我”(太27:46)?祂的膀臂带来救恩。在祂最后的心灵奋斗，发出了似乎万物响应的有福字句“成了”之时，那救赎人类的代价便付清了。{PH169 12.3}
许多自命为基督徒的人，热衷于属世的各种事业，对于新奇而使人兴奋的娱乐甚感兴趣，但对于上帝的圣工，却心凉气冷似乎是冰冻了一般。可怜的注重形式的人啊，这里有一个大题目是十分重要而足以激动你的，永恒的福利也包括在此中。人对这道题目冷淡而不受感动，乃是罪。髑髅地的情景要引起人最深切的情感。你在这道题目上大发热心，是理所应当的。那极高贵，极纯洁的基督，竟要为世人的罪担而受这么痛苦的死亡，这真是我们的心思意念所永不能完全理解的。这奇异之爱的长阔高深，我们不能测量。对于凭信看见的救主极深无比之爱的默想，应当充满和吸引思想，感动和熔化心灵，纯炼和提高情感，使整个品格完全改变。使徒的话说：“我曾定了主意，在你们中间不知道别的，只知道耶稣基督，并祂钉十字架”(林前2:2)。我们也当仰望髑髅地而宣告说：“我断不以别的夸口，只夸我们主耶稣基督的十字架;因这十字架，就我而论，世界已经钉在十字架上;就世界而论，我已经钉在十字架上”(加6:14)。{PH169 13.1}
试想主为我们的救恩付了何等巨大的代价。人若忽略这么大的救恩，其命运将如何呢?那些自命为基督徒，而又未曾谦卑顺从救赎主的要求，不肯作谦卑的门徒，背上十字架，跟从祂由马槽直到髑髅地的人，他们将受什么刑罚呢?基督说：“不同我收聚的，就是分散的”(太12:30)。{PH169 14.1}
有些人对救赎的理解十分有限。他们以为基督只忍受了上帝律法刑罚的一小部分;他们认为在上帝爱子感到上帝的忿怒，经受所有各种痛苦之时，仍有天父之爱与悦纳的保证;在祂面前的坟墓之门有光明的指望照耀着，并且在祂心中有那未来荣耀的长存证据。这真是一种大错误。基督那时最切心的痛楚，就是感到天父已不喜悦祂了。祂因为这种感觉而起的精神痛苦是极其深切的，以致人所能明了的只是极其微末。{PH169 14.2}
就许多人来说，我们神圣之主的屈尊、谦卑与牺牲的历史，并不比阅读那些为耶稣殉道之人的史实更能激动其心灵，影响其生活，使其产生更深的兴趣。许多人受慢慢的酷刑致死，也有些人是被钉死在十字架上。上帝爱子的死与这些人的死有何不同呢?祂被钉在十字架上，固然是人间极惨的死刑，但是别的人也曾为祂的缘故在肉身方面遭受过同等的苦难，那么基督所受的苦难比其他为祂的缘故而牺牲性命之人，又有何更悲惨之可言呢?如果基督的苦难只限于肉身的痛苦，那么祂的死也就不比一些殉道者的死更痛苦了。然而肉身的痛苦不过是上帝爱子所受的痛苦之一小部分而已。世人的罪压在祂身上，同时祂也在遭受到律法的刑罚时深感天父之怒。这一切使祂神圣的心灵被压碎了。天父的掩面不顾，使祂觉得自己被爱父所弃，而感到绝望。那使上帝与世人因罪而有的隔离，这位无辜受苦的“髑髅地之人”此时深切地体会到了。祂受到黑暗权势的压迫，毫无一线之光以照明前途。祂在与撒但的权势作斗争，撒但说基督已落在他手中，说他的势力强过上帝的儿子，说天父已不认自己的儿子，又说基督不再蒙上帝的眷爱，就好像他自己一样了。如果祂实在是仍蒙上帝的恩眷，那么祂又何必死呢?上帝不是能救祂免死吗?对于这个苦苦逼迫的仇敌，基督虽在极度痛苦之中，仍未分毫屈服。恶使者的大军环围住上帝的儿子，但那些圣天使却被约束，不许离队参战，去和那侮辱谩骂的仇敌决斗。天庭的使者被禁前往服务上帝儿子的忧苦心灵。在这个黑暗可怕的时辰中，天父向祂掩面，大队的恶使者围逼着祂，世人的罪重重地压在祂身上，以致从祂口中发出了痛苦的呼声：“我的上帝，我的上帝，为什么离弃我”(太27:46)?{PH169 14.3}
那些殉道者的死与上帝儿子所忍受的痛苦是无法比较的。我们对于上帝爱子的生平、苦难及死亡，应当有更大、更广、更深刻的见解。对于赎罪的牺牲若有正确的见解，就会觉得灵魂的得救具有无限的价值。一切事物若与永生大计相比较，就都要沦为毫无意义的了。然而这位可爱救主的忠言，却已怎样被轻视啊!人们专心致志于世俗，以至自私自利之念塞住了心门，拒绝了上帝之子。许多人的心中充斥着空洞虚伪，骄傲，自私，财利，嫉妒，恶毒，及情欲，以致基督无法立足。{PH169 15.1}
祂本有永恒的富足，却为我们成了贫穷，叫我们因祂的贫穷，可以成为富足(林后8:9)。祂本来披戴着光明与荣耀，并为听候奉行祂命令的众天军所围绕，但祂却取了我们的人性，来到犯罪必死的世人中间寄居。这里的爱真是言语无法形容，过于人所能测度的。大哉，敬虔的奥秘!我们的心要为天父和圣子爱人的宗旨而欢呼、振奋、喜不自胜。跟从基督的人应在今生学习返照几分这种神秘之爱，预备与一切得蒙救赎的人一起将“颂赞，尊贵，荣耀，权势，都归给坐宝座的和羔羊，直到永永远远”(启5:13)。{PH169 15.2}
怀爱伦
PH169 - The Sufferings of Christ
“God is love.” His love manifested toward fallen man, in the gift of his beloved Son, amazed the holy angels. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The Son was the brightness of the Father’s glory, and the express image of his person. He possessed divine excellence and greatness. He was equal with God. It pleased the Father that in him all fullness should dwell. He “thought it not robbery to be equal with God.” Yet he “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”?{PH169 1.1}[1]
In order to more fully realize the value of salvation, it is necessary to understand what it cost. In consequence of limited views of the sufferings of the divine Son of God, many place a low estimate upon the great work of the atonement.?{PH169 1.2}[2]
Christ consented to die in man’s stead, that he, by a life of obedience, might escape the penalty of the law of God. His death did not slay the law, lessen it holy claims, nor detract from its sacred dignity. The death of Christ proclaimed the justice of his Father’s law in punishing the transgressor, in that he consented to suffer the penalty of the law himself, in order to save fallen man from its curse. The death of God’s beloved Son on the cross shows the immutability of the law. His death magnified the law and made it honorable, and gave evidence to man of its changeless character. From his own divine lips is heard, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law.”?{PH169 1.3}[3]
In Christ was united the human and the divine. His mission was to reconcile God to man, and man to God. His work was to unite the finite with the Infinite. This was the only way in which fallen men could be exalted through the merits of the blood of Christ, to be partakers of the divine nature. Taking human nature, fitted Christ to understand the nature of man’s trials, and all the temptations wherewith he is beset. Angels, who were unacquainted with sin, could not sympathize with man in his peculiar trials. Christ condescended to take man’s nature, that he might know how to succor all who should be tempted.?{PH169 2.1}[4]
As the human was upon him, he felt his need of strength from his Father. He had select places of prayer. He loved the solitude of the mountain in which to hold communion with his Father in Heaven. In this exercise he was strengthened for the duties and trials of the day. Our Saviour identifies himself with our needs and weaknesses, in that he became a suppliant, a nightly petitioner, seeking from his Father fresh supplies of strength, to come forth invigorated and refreshed, braced for duty and trial. He is our example in all things. He is a brother in our infirmities, but not possessing like passions. As the sinless One his nature recoiled from evil. He endured struggles, and torture of soul, in a world of sin. His humanity made prayer a necessity, and privilege. He required all the divine support and comfort which his Father was ready to impart to his Son. Christ found comfort and joy in communion with his Father. Here he could unburden his sorrows that were crushing him. He was a Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief.?{PH169 2.2}[5]
Through the day he labored earnestly to save men from destruction. He healed the sick, he comforted the mourning, and brought cheerfulness and hope to the despairing. He brought the dead to life. After his work was finished for the day, he went forth, evening after evening, away from the confusion of the city, and his form was bowed in some retired place, in supplication to his Father. At times the bright beams of the moon shone upon his bowed form. And then again the clouds and darkness shut away all light. The dew and frost of night rested upon his head and beard while in the attitude of a suppliant. He frequently continued his petitions through the entire night. If the Saviour of men, with his divine strength, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of prayer,—fervent, constant prayer? As the Son of God in the garden of Gethsemane bowed in the attitude of prayer, the agony of his spirit forced from his pores sweat like great drops of blood. It was here that the horror of great darkness surrounded him. The sins of the world were upon him. He was suffering in man’s stead as a transgressor of his Father’s law. Here was the scene of temptation. The divine light of God was receding from his vision, and he was passing into the hands of the powers of darkness. In the agony of his soul-anguish, he lay prostrate on the cold earth. He was realizing his Father’s frown. Christ had taken the cup of suffering from the lips of guilty man, and proposed to drink it himself, and in its place give to man a cup of blessing. The wrath that would have fallen upon man, was now falling upon Christ. It was here that the mysterious cup trembled in his hand.?{PH169 3.1}[6]
Jesus had often resorted to Gethsemane with his disciples for meditation and prayer. They were all well acquainted with his sacred retreat. Even Judas knew where to lead the murderous throng, that he might betray Jesus into their hands. Never before had the Saviour visited the spot with a heart so full of sorrow. It was not bodily suffering from which the Son of God shrank, and which wrung from his lips, in the presence of his disciples these mournful words: “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” “Tarry ye here,” said he, “and watch with me.”?{PH169 4.1}[7]
He went a little distance from his disciples, leaving them within hearing, and fell on his face, and prayed. “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” The sins of the lost world were upon him, overwhelmed him. It was a sense of his Father’s frown, in consequence of sin, which rent the heart of the Son of God with such piercing agony, and forced the great blood-drops from his brow down his pale cheeks.?{PH169 4.2}[8]
He rose from his prostrate position, and came to his disciples, and found them asleep. He said unto Peter, “What! could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” At the most important time, the disciples were found sleeping—at the time when Jesus had made a special request for them to watch with him. He knew that severe conflicts and terrible temptations were before his disciples. He took them with him, that they might be a strength to him, and that the events they should witness that night, and the lessons of instruction they should receive, might be indelibly printed upon their memories. This was necessary, that their faith might not fail, but be strengthened for the test just before them.?{PH169 4.3}[9]
But instead of watching with Christ, they were burdened with sorrow, and fell asleep. Even the ardent Peter was asleep, who, only a few hours before, had declared that he would suffer, and, if need be, die for his Lord. At the most critical moment, when the Son of God was in need of their sympathy and heartfelt prayers, they were found asleep. They lost much by thus sleeping. Our Saviour designed to fortify them for the severe test of their faith to which they would soon be subjected. If they had spent the mournful period in watching with the dear Saviour, and in prayer to God, Peter would not have been left to his own feeble strength to deny his Lord.?{PH169 5.1}[10]
The Son of God went away the second time, and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me except I drink it, thy will be done.” And again he came to his disciples, and found them sleeping. Their eyes were heavy.?{PH169 5.2}[11]
The Saviour turned sadly the second time from his sleeping disciples, and prayed the third time saying the same words. Then he came to them, and said, “Sleep on now, and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.” How cruel for the disciples to permit sleep to close their eyes and slumber to chain their senses, while their divine Lord was enduring such inexpressible mental anguish. If they had remained watching, they would not have lost their faith as they beheld the Son of God dying upon the cross. This important night-watch should have been signalized by noble mental struggles and prayers, which would have brought them strength to witness the unspeakable agony of the Son of God. It would have prepared them, as they should behold his sufferings upon the cross, to understand something of the nature of the overpowering anguish which He endured in the garden of Gethsemane. And they would have been better able to recall the words he had spoken to them in reference to his sufferings, death, and resurrection, and amid the gloom of that terrible, trying hour, some rays of hope would have lit up the darkness, and sustained their faith. He had told them before that these things would take place; but they did not understand him. The scene of Christ’s sufferings was to be a fiery ordeal to his disciples, hence the necessity of watchfulness and prayer. Their faith needed to be sustained by an unseen strength, as they should experience the triumph of the powers of darkness.?{PH169 5.3}[12]
We can have but faint conceptions of the inexpressible anguish of God’s dear Son in Gesthsemane as he realized the separation from his Father in consequence of bearing man’s sin. He became sin for the fallen race. The sense of the withdrawal of his Father’s love pressed from his anguished soul these words: “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” Then with entire submission to his Father’s will he adds, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.”?{PH169 6.1}[13]
The divine Son of God was fainting, dying. The Father sent a messenger from his presence to strengthen the divine Sufferer, and brace him to tread his blood-stained path. Could mortals view the amazement and sorrow of the angels as they watched in silent grief the Father separating his beams of light, love and glory, from his Son, they would better understand how offensive is sin in his sight. The sword of Justice was now to awake against this dear Son. He was betrayed by a kiss into the hands of his enemies, and hurried to the judgment hall of an earthly court, there to be derided, and condemned to death, by sinful mortals. There the glorious Son of God was “wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.” He bore insult, mockery, and shameful abuse, until his “visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.”?{PH169 6.2}[14]
Who can comprehend the love here displayed? The angelic host beheld with wonder and with grief Him who had been the majesty of Heaven, and who had worn the crown of glory, now wearing the crown of thorns, a bleeding victim to the rage of an infuriated mob, fired to insane madness by the wrath of Satan. Behold the patient sufferer! Upon his head is the thorny crown. His life-blood flows from every lacerated vein. All this in consequence of sin! Nothing could have induced Christ to leave his honor and majesty in Heaven, and come to a sinful world, to be neglected, despised, and rejected, by those he came to save, and finally to suffer upon the cross, but eternal, redeeming love, which will ever remain a mystery.?{PH169 7.1}[15]
Wonder, O Heavens! and be astonished, O earth! Behold the oppressor and the oppressed. A vast multitude enclose the Saviour of the world. Mocking and jeering are mingled with the coarse oaths of blasphemy. His lowly birth and his humble life are commented upon by unfeeling wretches. His claim to be the Son of God is ridiculed by the chief priests and elders, and the vulgar jest and insulting derision are passed from lip to lip. Satan was having full control of the minds of his servants. In order to do this effectually, he commences with the chief priests and the elders, and imbues them with a religious frenzy. They are actuated by the same Satanic spirit which moves the most vile and hardened wretches. There is a corrupt harmony in the feelings of all, from the hypocritical priests and elders down to the most debased. Christ, the precious Son of God, was led forth, and the cross was laid upon his shoulders. At every step was left blood which flowed from his wounds. Thronged by an immense crowd of bitter enemies and unfeeling spectators, he is led away to the crucifixion. “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 opened not his mouth.”?{PH169 7.2}[16]
His sorrowing disciples follow him at a distance, behind the murderous throng. He is nailed to the cross, and hangs suspended between the heavens and the earth. Their hearts are bursting with anguish as their beloved Teacher is suffering as a criminal. Close to the cross are the blind, bigoted, faithless priests and elders, taunting, mocking, and jeering: “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.” “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.”?{PH169 8.1}[17]
Not one word did Jesus answer to all this. While the nails were being driven through his hands, and the sweat-drops of agony were forced from his pores, from the pale, quivering lips of the innocent sufferer a prayer of pardoning love was breathed for his murders: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” All Heaven was gazing with profound interest upon the scene. The glorious Redeemer of a lost world was suffering the penalty of man’s transgressions of the Father’s law. He was about to ransom his people with his own blood. He was paying the claims of God’s holy law. This was the means through which an end was to be finally made of sin and Satan, and his host to be vanquished.?{PH169 8.2}[18]
Oh! was there ever suffering and sorrow like that endured by the dying Saviour? It was the sense of his Fathers’s displeasure which made his cup so bitter. It was not bodily suffering which so quickly ended the life of Christ upon the cross. It was the crushing weight of the sins of the world, and a sense of his Father’s wrath. The Father’s glory and sustaining presence had been withdrawn from him, and despair pressed its crushing weight of darkness upon him, and forced from his pale and quivering lips the anguished cry. “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”?{PH169 9.1}[19]
Jesus united with the Father in making the world. Amid the agonizing sufferings of the Son of God, blind and deluded men alone remain unfeeling. The chief priests and elders revile God’s dear Son while in his expiring agonies. Yet inanimate nature groans in sympathy with her bleeding, dying Author. The earth trembles. The sun refuses to behold the scene. The heavens gather blackness. Angels have witnessed the sufferings of God’s dear Son, until they can look no longer, and hide their faces from the horrid sight. Christ is dying! He is in despair! His Father’s approving smile is removed, and angels are not permitted to lighten the gloom of the terrible hour.?{PH169 9.2}[20]
Even doubts assailed the dying Son of God. He could not see through the portals of the tomb. Bright hope did not present to him his coming forth from the tomb a conqueror and his Father’s acceptance of his sacrifice. The sin of the world, with all its terribleness, was felt to the utmost by the Son of God. The displeasure of the Father for sin, and its penalty which was death, were all that he could realize through this amazing darkness. He was tempted to fear that sin was so offensive in the sight of his Father, that he could not be reconciled to his Son. The fierce temptation that his own Father had forever left him caused that piercing cry from the cross. “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”?{PH169 10.1}[21]
Christ felt much as sinners will feel when the vials of God’s wrath shall be poured out upon them. Black despair, like the pall of death, will gather about their guilty souls, and then they will realize to the fullest extent, the sinfulness of sin. Salvation has been purchased for them by the suffering and death of the Son of God. It might be theirs if they would accept it willingly, gladly, but none are compelled to yield obedience to the law of God. If they refuse the heavenly benefit, if they choose the pleasures and deceitfulness of sin, they can have their choice, and at the end receive their wages, which is the wrath of God and eternal death.?{PH169 10.2}[22]
Faith and hope tremble in the expiring agonies of Christ, because God has removed the assurance he had heretofore given his beloved Son of his approbation and acceptance. The Redeemer of the world now relies upon the evidences which had hitherto strengthened him, that his Father accepted his labors, and was pleased with his work. In his dying agony, as he yields up his precious life, he has by faith alone to trust in Him whom it has ever been his joy to obey. He is not cheered with clear, bright rays of hope on the right hand nor on the left. All is enshrouded in oppressive gloom. Amid the awful darkness which is felt by sympathizing nature, the Redeemer drains the mysterious cup even to its dregs. Denied even bright hope and confidence in the triumph which will be his in the future, he cries with a loud voice, “Lord, into thy hands I commit my spirit.” He is acquainted with the character of his Father, his justice, his mercy, and great love. In submission he drops into the hands of his Father. Amid the convulsions of nature are heard by the amazed spectators the dying words of the Man of Calvary.?{PH169 10.3}[23]
Nature sympathized with the suffering of its Author. The heaving earth, the rent rocks, and the terrific darkness, proclaimed that it was the Son of God that died. There was a mighty earthquake. The vail of the temple was rent in twain. Terror seized the executioners and spectators as they beheld the sun vailed in darkness, and felt the earth shake beneath them, and saw and heard the rending of the rocks. The mocking and jeering of the chief priests and elders were hushed as Christ commended his spirit into the hands of his Father. The astonished throng began to withdraw, and grope their way in the darkness, to the city. They smote upon their breasts as they went, and in terror, speaking scarcely above a whisper, said among themselves, “It is an innocent person that has been murdered. What if, indeed, he is, as he asserted, the Son of God?”?{PH169 11.1}[24]
Jesus did not yield up his life till he had accomplished the work which he came to do, and exclaimed with his departing breath, “It is finished.” Satan then was defeated. He knew that his kingdom was lost. Angels rejoiced as the words were uttered, “It is finished.” The great plan of redemption, which was dependent on the death of Christ, had been thus far carried out. And there was joy in Heaven that the sons of Adam could, through a life of obedience, be finally exalted to the throne of God. Oh, what love! What amazing love! that brought the Son of God to earth to be made sin for us, that we might be reconciled to God, and elevated to a life with him in his mansions in glory. Oh! What is man, that such a price should be paid for his redemption!?{PH169 12.1}[25]
When men and women can more fully comprehend the magnitude of the great sacrifice, which was made by the Majesty of Heaven in dying in man’s stead, then will the plan of salvation be magnified, and reflections of Calvary will awaken tender, sacred, and lively emotions in the Christian’s heart. Praises to God and the Lamb will be in their hearts, and upon their lips. Pride and self-esteem cannot flourish in the heart that keeps fresh in memory the scenes of Calvary. This world will appear of but little value to those who appreciate the cost of man’s redemption. All the riches of the world are not of sufficient value to redeem one perishing soul. Who can measure the love Christ felt for a lost world, as he hung upon the cross, suffering for the sins of guilty men? This love was immeasurable. It was infinite.?{PH169 12.2}[26]
His love, he has shown, was stronger than death. He was accomplishing man’s salvation; and although he had the most fearful conflict with the powers of darkness, yet amid it all, his love decreased not, but grew stronger and stronger. He endured the hidings of his Father’s countenance, until he was led to exclaim, in the bitterness of his soul, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” His arm brought salvation. The price was paid to purchase the redemption of man, when, in the last soul-struggle, the blessed words were uttered, which seemed to resound through creation, “It is finished.”?{PH169 12.3}[27]
How many who profess to be Christians, will become excited over some worldly enterprise. Their interest is awakened for new and exciting amusements, while they are cold-hearted, and appear as if frozen in the cause of God. But here is a theme, poor formalist, which is of sufficient importance to excite you. Eternal interests are here involved. To be calm and unimpassioned on this theme is even sinful. The scenes of Calvary call for the deepest emotions. Upon this subject you will be excusable if you manifest enthusiasm. That Christ, so excellent, so innocent, should suffer such a painful death, bearing the weight of the sins of the world, our most extended thoughts and imaginations can never be able to fully reach, and enable us to comprehend the length, the breadth, the light, the depth, of such amazing love. The contemplation of the matchless depths of a Saviour’s love, viewed by faith, fills and absorbs the mind, touches and melts the soul, refines and elevates the affections, and completely transforms the whole character. The language of the apostle is, “I determine not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified.” We may look toward Calvary, and also exclaim, “God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”?{PH169 13.1}[28]
Considering at what an immense cost, our salvation has been purchased, what will be the fate of those who neglect so great salvation? What will be the punishment of those who profess to be followers of Christ, yet fail to bow in humble obedience to the claims of their Redeemer, and who do not take the cross, as humble disciples of Christ, and follow him from the manger to Calvary? He that gathereth not with me saith Christ scattereth abroad.?{PH169 14.1}[29]
Some have limited views of the atonement. They think that Christ suffered only a small portion of the penalty of the law of God, and that while the wrath of God was felt by his dear Son, they suppose that he had, through all his painful sufferings, an evidence of his Father’s love and acceptance, and that the portals of the tomb before him were illuminated with bright hope that he had the abiding evidence of his future glory. Here is a great mistake. Christ’s keenest anguish was a sense of his Father’s displeasure. His mental agony, because of this, was of such intensity that man can have but faint conception of it.?{PH169 14.2}[30]
The history of the condescension, humiliation and sacrifice of our divine Lord does not with many stir the soul, and affect the life any more, nor awaken deeper interest, than to read of the death of the martyrs of Jesus. Many have suffered death by slow tortures. Others have suffered death by crucifixion. In what does the death of God’s dear Son differ from these? It is true he died upon the cross a most cruel death; yet others, for his dear sake, have suffered equally, as far as bodily torture is concerned. Why was the suffering of Christ more dreadful than that of other persons who have yielded their lives for his sake? If the sufferings of Christ consisted in physical pain alone, then his death was no more painful than that of some of the martyrs. Bodily pain was but an item in the agony of God’s dear Son. The sins of the world were upon him, also the sense of his Father’s wrath as he suffered the penalty of the law. It was these that crushed his divine soul. It was the hiding of his Father’s face, a sense that his own dear Father had forsaken him, which brought despair. The separation that sin makes between God and man was fully realized and keenly felt by the innocent, suffering Man of Calvary. He was oppressed by the powers of darkness. He had not one ray of light to brighten the future. And he was struggling with the power of Satan, who was declaring that Christ was in his hands, that he was superior in strength to the Son of God, that God had disowned his Son, and that he was no longer in the favor of God any more than himself. If he was indeed still in favor with God, why need he die? God could save him from death. Christ yielded not in the least degree to the tormenting foe, even in his bitterest anguish. Legions of evil angels were all about the Son of God. Yet the holy angels were bidden not to break their ranks and engage in conflict with the taunting reviling foe. Heavenly angels were not permitted to minister unto the anguished spirit of the Son of God. It was in this terrible hour of darkness, the face of his Father hidden, legions of evil angels enshrouding him, the sins of the world upon him, that the words were wrenched from his lips, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me.”?{PH169 14.3}[31]
The death of the martyrs can bear no comparison with the agony endured by the Son of God. And we should take larger, broader, and deeper views of the life, sufferings, and death, of God’s dear Son. When the atoning sacrifice shall be viewed correctly, the salvation of souls will be felt to be of infinite value. In comparison with the enterprise of everlasting life, every other sinks into insignificance. But how have the counsels of this loving Saviour been despised. The heart’s devotion has been to the world, and selfish interests have closed the door against the Son of God. Hollow hypocrisy and pride, selfishness and gain, envy, malice and passion, have so filed the hearts of many that Christ can have no room.?{PH169 15.1}[32]
He was eternally rich “yet for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich.” He was clothed with light and glory, surrounded with hosts of heavenly angels, waiting to execute his commands. Yet he put on our nature, and came to sojourn among sinful mortals. Here is love that no language can express. It passes knowledge. Great is the mystery of godliness. Our souls should be enlivened, elevated, enraptured with the theme of the love of the Father and the Son to man. And the followers of Christ should learn here to reflect back in some degree that mysterious love, preparatory to joining all the redeemed in ascribing “Blessing and honor and glory and power unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.”?{PH169 15.2}[33]
Ellen G. White[34]
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