121. JOH 19:17, JOH 19:18. THE PLACE, ETC., OF CHRIST’S DEATH

Joh_19:17, Joh_19:18. The Place, Etc., Of Christ’s Death

"And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: where they crucified him."’97Joh_19:17, Joh_19:18.

The evangelists are very particular and minute in detailing every circumstance connected with Christ’s death. At present we design to contemplate, more especially, three things. I. The place. II. The manner. And, III. The astonishing phenomena with which it was attended.

Notice then,

I. The place of Christ’s death.

"Golgotha," the place of skulls; where lay scattered abroad the remains of malefactors who had suffered on the spot. In this place we behold,

1. A striking emblem of the world Christ came to save.

Here were the trophies of death’97the ruins of human nature; here were sufficient evidences of man’s depravity, ruin, and helplessness. And such was the condition of the world Christ came to redeem’97one region of death’97one dreary burialground’97one vast Golgotha; sunk in depravity; exposed to peril the most alarming; and, to human contemplation, in a condition of helplessness. In Golgotha, the place of Christ’s death, we see,

2. Jewish malice and unbelief overruled for the welfare of the world.

Jesus came expressly to his own, to his own people, the lost sheep of Israel; but they received him not; but hated him, and persecuted him, and at last put him to death’97and thrust him without the gate of their city. Jesus did not then offer himself upon a Jewish altar, and thus restrict the merit of his blood to one people; but on the elevated mount of Calvary’97on the notorious summit Golgotha, he expired as the propitiation for the sins of the world.

3. We see in it not only the extent, but the efficacy of Christ’s death.

Christ "came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." He lived and lied for the very chief of transgressors. His death at Golgotha speaks the language of hope to harlots, publicans, and thieves. And we know, that shortly afterwards, the virtue of his blood was savingly experienced by three thousand Jerusalem sinners.

Observe,

II. The manner of Christ’s death.

"Where they crucified him." Crucifixion was a Roman punishment, and was only employed in cases of extreme notoriety; the sufferers were generally slaves, who had been guilty of aggravated robberies or murder. This death the blessed Jesus endured. Observe,

1. That it was a death the most shameful.

Associated with the vilest and most worthless of our race; exposure of person, &c.; identified with all that was degrading and infamous.

2. It was a death of excruciating agony.

The body stretched upon transverse pieces of wood; most tender parts torn with the rude nails by which they were fastened. The body thus suspended, scorching thirst would burn up the system; fever would be produced; and finally, exhaustion, delirium, and death.

3. It was peculiarly lingering in its character.

Often several hours elapsed before death would release the sufferer. Christ hung on the cross, enduring all its pain, six hours, from about nine in the morning until three in the afternoon. What a spectacle of suffering and wo!

"O Lamb of God, was ever love,

Was ever grief, like thine?"

Let us then,

III. Glance at the astonishing phenomena with which Christ’s death was attended.

There was then,

1. The preternatural darkness.

The sun was darkened; whole land involved in sable gloom; not by an eclipse, for it was now full moon, and therefore, if at all possible, could not have lasted for more than a few minutes, this for three hours. Now, indeed, was the hour of darkness; when hell expected to triumph: but when, in fact, the domains of perdition were shaken to their foundations. The conflict was tremendous. The sun refused to give its light, or be a spectator of the momentous scene. Christ’s soul, too, was now enduring the absence of Jehovah’s smile. Hence the bitter, inexplicable cry, "My God, my God," &c.

2. The rocks rent, and the earth quaked.

Indicating the removal of the old, and the introduction of a new dispensation.

3. The graves were opened.

For Christ was now abolishing death, by overcoming him who had the power of death, even the devil.

4. The veil of the temple was rent in twain.

Priests dismissed; legal dispensation, with all its altars, abrogated; separating wall between Jews and Gentiles thrown down, and way opened to the holiest of all.

Application

We have in the place and manner of Christ’s death, 1. Exhibited to us God’s displeasure against sin, yet his mercy to the sinner. 2. We perceive the only refuge for the guilty and condemned.

"The wounds of Jesus, for their sin,

Before the world’s foundation slain."

3. The saint’s only hope and glory. "God forbid that I glory," &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS