April 3, Morning

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"They took Jesus, and led Him away." — John 19:16 · KJV

He had been all night in agony; He had spent the early morning at the hall of Caiaphas; He had been hurried from Caiaphas to Pilate, from Pilate to Herod, and from Herod back to Pilate; He had, therefore, little strength left, and yet neither refreshment nor rest was allowed Him. They were eager for His blood, and so led Him out to die, loaded with the cross. O sorrowful procession! Well may the daughters of Jerusalem weep; my soul, weep also. What do we learn here, as we see our blessed Lord led forth? Do we not perceive the truth that was foreshadowed by the scapegoat? Did not the high priest bring the scapegoat, and lay both his hands on its head, confessing the sins of the people, that thus those sins might be laid on the goat and pass away from the people? Then the goat was led away by a fit man into the wilderness, carrying away the sins of the people, so that if they were sought for, they could not be found. Now we see Jesus brought before the priests and rulers, who pronounce Him guilty; God Himself imputes our sins to Him — "the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all"; "He was made sin for us"; and, as the substitute for our guilt, bearing our sin on His shoulders, represented by the cross, we see the great Scapegoat led away by the appointed officers of justice. Beloved, can you feel assured that He carried your sin? As you look at the cross on His shoulders, does it represent your sin? There is one way to tell whether He carried your sin or not: have you laid your hand on His head, confessed your sin, and trusted in Him? Then your sin lies not on you; it has all been transferred, by blessed imputation, to Christ, and He bears it on His shoulder as a load heavier than the cross. Do not let the picture fade until you have rejoiced in your own deliverance, and adored the loving Redeemer on whom your iniquities were laid.