Luke 22:68

After the revolutions of many ages, it is at length come, Isa. lxiii. And, it is observable, it is in the very first month of that year that the redemption is wrought out, so much in haste was the Redeemer to perform his undertaking, so was he straitened till it was accomplished.

We should notice, firstly, in these verses — the shameful treatment that our Lord Jesus Christ underwent at the hands of His enemies . We read that the guards "mocked" Him, "beat" Him, "blindfolded" Him, and "struck Him in the face." It was not enough to have taken a prisoner a person of most blameless and charitable life — they must needs add insult to injury. Conduct like this shows the desperate corruption of human nature.

We should notice, firstly, in these verses — the shameful treatment that our Lord Jesus Christ underwent at the hands of His enemies . We read that the guards "mocked" Him, "beat" Him, "blindfolded" Him, and "struck Him in the face." It was not enough to have taken a prisoner a person of most blameless and charitable life — they must needs add insult to injury. Conduct like this shows the desperate corruption of human nature. The excesses of savage malice to which unconverted men will sometimes go, and the fierce delight with which they will sometimes trample on the most holy and the most pure — almost justify the strong saying of an old divine, that "man left to himself — is half-beast and half-devil!" He hates God, and all who bear anything of God's image. "The carnal mind is enmity against God." (Romans 8:7.) We have probably a very faint idea of what the world would become, if it were not for the constant restraint that God mercifully puts upon evil. It is not too much to say that if unconverted men had their own way entirely — the earth would soon be little better than a Hell! Our Lord's calm submission to insults like those here described, shows the depth of His love towards sinners. Had He so willed, He could have stopped the insolence of His enemies in a moment. He who could cast out devils with a word, could have summoned legions of angels to His side, and scattered those wretched tools of Satan to the winds. But our Lord's heart was set on the great work he had come on earth to do. He had undertaken to purchase our redemption by His own humiliation — and He did not flinch from paying the uttermost farthing of the price. He had undertaken to drink the bitter cup of vicarious suffering to save sinners — and "for the joy set before Him, He despised the shame," and drank the cup to the very dregs! (Hebrews 12:2.)

And if I also ask you - Concerning the Christ, in case ye cannot give me such an answer as may prove I am not the Christ, ye will not let me go; for I know ye are determined to put me to death.