EGW WritingsMatthew 27
Ellen G. White · Page 2 of 3
Read Matthew 27 in the BibleMatthew 27:22-25
Christ’s Object Lessons
Chapter 23—The Lord’s Vineyard
COL 293.3
The Jewish rulers did not love God; therefore they cut themselves away from Him, and rejected all His overtures for a just settlement. Christ, the Beloved of God, came to assert the claims of the Owner of the vineyard; but the husbandmen treated Him with marked contempt, saying, We will not have this man to rule over us. They envied Christ’s beauty of character. His manner of teaching was far superior to theirs, and they dreaded His success. He remonstrated with them, unveiling their hypocrisy, and showing them the sure results of their course of action. This stirred them to madness. They smarted under the rebukes they could not silence. They hated the high standard of righteousness which Christ continually presented. They saw that His teaching was placing them where their selfishness would be uncloaked, and they determined to kill Him. They hated His example of truthfulness and piety and the elevated spirituality revealed in all He did. His whole life was a reproof to their selfishness, and when the final test came, the test which meant obedience unto eternal life or disobedience unto eternal death, they rejected the Holy One of Israel. When they were asked to choose between Christ and Barabbas, they cried out, “Release unto us Barabbas!” Luke 23:18. And when Pilate asked, “What shall I do then with Jesus?” they cried fiercely, “Let Him be crucified.” Matthew 27:22. “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked, and from the priests and rulers came the answer, “We have no king but Caesar.” John 19:15. When Pilate washed his hands, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person,” the priests joined with the ignorant mob in declaring passionately, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” Matthew 27:24, 25.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Ms 23, 1900
15LtMs, Ms 23, 1900, par. 8
His whole life was a constant reproof to their selfishness, and when the final test came, the test which meant obedience unto eternal life or disobedience unto eternal death, they rejected the Holy One of Israel. When they were asked to choose between Christ and Barabbas, they cried out, “Release unto us Barabbas.” [Luke 23:18.] And when Pilate asked, “What shall I do then with Jesus?” they cried fiercely, “Crucify him, crucify him.” [Matthew 27:22; Luke 23:21.] “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked, and from the priests and rulers came the answer, “We have no king but Caesar.” [John 19:15.] When Pilate washed his hands, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just man,” the priests joined with the ignorant mob in declaring passionately, “His blood be on us and on our children.” [Matthew 27:24, 25.]Matthew 27:24-25
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 129, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 129, 1897, par. 10
Though he had pronounced Christ entirely innocent, Pilate decided to give Him over to the will of the infuriated mob, led by the priests who were inspired by Satan. Yet he was not willing that the responsibility of this act should rest upon his shoulders. In an imposing manner he took water, and washed his hands before the people, saying “I am innocent of the blood of this just man.” And the cry of the priests and scribes and rulers was, “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” [Matthew 27:24, 25.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Ms 22, 1900
15LtMs, Ms 22, 1900, par. 20
“Then the high priest rose up and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation.” [Verse 17.] Had they not chosen Barabbas instead of Christ? When Pilate had asked, “What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?” and they cried out “Crucify him.” “We have no king but Caesar”? [Mark 15:12, 13; John 19:15.] And when Pilate took water and washed his hands, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person,” did they not answer with angry vehemence, “His blood be on us and on our children”? [Matthew 27:24, 25.] But they were not so eager to have their cruel work appear in its true light. They were inspired by the spirit that inspires all who turn from light and evidence and place themselves under the black banner of rebellion, and “they laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.” [Acts 5:18.]Matthew 27:25
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Ms 23, 1885
4LtMs, Ms 23, 1885, par. 10
The very men who took secret counsel against Christ did not know that they had a witness in their assemblies, the same unerring witness that was present at Belshazzar’s feast and registered with unerring accuracy the blasphemous words uttered and the profaning of the holy vessels. That bloodless hand was revealed to the king, tracing characters over against the walls of his palace. He who reads the very intents and purposes of the heart was present in the judgment hall, making the records which the very men would meet—records of the words and acts in the judgment hall and that cry that awful cry, “Crucify Him, crucify Him! His blood be on us, and on our children” [Luke 23:21; Matthew 27:25] reached unto heaven and stands on record, that men may see to what lengths religious prejudice, envy, and malice will lead humanity. It shows what enmity and hatred can develop in minds who have turned from the light. That scene at the trial and crucifixion of Christ shows the power of deception upon the human mind, and to what great lengths this deception will lead men to go.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)
Ms 7a, 1886
4LtMs, Ms 7a, 1886, par. 18
God had prepared a refuge for them, and forty years later this prophecy was fulfilled. There was the temple that was destroyed, and although Titus tried to the best of his powers to save that beautiful, costly temple, he was unable to do so. A higher mandate had gone forth, “There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Mark 13:2. And here were those who had taken the Son of God and crucified Him. And who was it that had acted so prominent a part? It was those of His own nation. And they were the ones who cried, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” Matthew 27:25. And these were the ones who had crucified Him on Calvary where the crosses stood as thick as forest trees. And we see the prophecy tells us all about these things, and why are we not searching the Scripture for ourselves? We have no right to close our Bibles and let others search for us.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 13, 1892
7LtMs, Ms 13, 1892, par. 32
He knew that, moved by a power from beneath, they, the guilty inhabitants of Jerusalem, would carry out the will of the prince of darkness. Stirred with enmity, they would yield themselves to the control of the malignant foe and make the Prince of life their victim. Clouds of wrath were gathering over the doomed city, for they called down upon themselves judgment, crying, “His blood be on us and upon our children.” [Matthew 27:25.] That blood by virtue of which the repentant sinner might be forgiven, that blood by which a guilty world might be saved, by which the Jewish nation might be saved and purified, which was paid a ransom for the sins of the world, was to them the final guilt in the cup of their iniquity.The Great Controversy
Chapter 1—The Destruction of Jerusalem
GC 32.2
The Roman leaders endeavored to strike terror to the Jews and thus cause them to surrender. Those prisoners who resisted when taken, were scourged, tortured, and crucified before the wall of the city. Hundreds were daily put to death in this manner, and the dreadful work continued until, along the Valley of Jehoshaphat and at Calvary, crosses were erected in so great numbers that there was scarcely room to move among them. So terribly was visited that awful imprecation uttered before the judgment seat of Pilate: “His blood be on us, and on our children.” Matthew 27:25.The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)
Chapter 1—Destruction of Jerusalem
GC88 32.2
The Roman leaders endeavored to strike terror to the Jews, and thus cause them to surrender. Those prisoners who resisted when taken, were scourged, tortured, and crucified before the wall of the city. Hundreds were daily put to death in this manner, and the dreadful work continued until, along the valley of Jehoshaphat and at Calvary, crosses were erected in so great numbers that there was scarcely room to move among them. So terribly was visited that awful imprecation uttered before the judgment-seat of Pilate: “His blood be on us, and on our children.” [Matthew 27:25.]The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4
Chapter 1—Destruction of Jerusalem
4SP 33.2
The Roman leaders endeavored to strike terror to the Jews, and thus cause them to surrender. Those prisoners who resisted when taken, were scourged, tortured, and crucified before the wall of the city. Hundreds were daily put to death in this manner, and the dreadful work continued until, along the valley of Jehoshaphat and at Calvary, crosses were erected in so great numbers that there was scarcely room to move among them. So terribly was fulfilled the profane prayer uttered forty years before, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” [Matthew 27:25.]The Story of Redemption
Sent to Herod
SR 218.3
Satan and his angels were tempting Pilate and trying to lead him on to his own ruin. They suggested to him that if he did not take part in condemning Jesus others would; the multitude were thirsting for His blood; and if he did not deliver Him to be crucified, he would lose his power and worldly honor, and would be denounced as a believer on the impostor. Through fear of losing his power and authority, Pilate consented to the death of Jesus. And notwithstanding he placed the blood of Jesus upon His accusers, and the multitude received it, crying, “His blood be on us, and on our children” (Matthew 27:25), yet Pilate was not clear; he was guilty of the blood of Christ. For his own selfish interest, his love of honor from the great men of earth, he delivered an innocent man to die. If Pilate had followed his own convictions he would have had nothing to do with condemning Jesus.From Heaven With Love
Caiaphas Urges Deceit
HLv 522.2
But there were witnesses whom they could not silence. Many had heard of the soldiers’ testimony to Christ’s resurrection. And certain of the dead who came forth with Christ appeared to many and declared that He had risen. The priests and rulers were in continual dread, lest in walking the streets or within the privacy of their own homes, they should come face to face with Christ. Bolts and bars were but poor protection against the Son of God. By day and by night that awful scene when they had cried, “His blood be on us, and on our children,” was before them. Matthew 27:25.From Here to Forever
Portents of Disaster
HF 23.3
The Roman leaders endeavored to strike terror to the Jews and thus cause them to surrender. Prisoners were scourged, tortured, and crucified before the wall of the city. Along the Valley of Jehoshaphat and at Calvary, crosses were erected in great numbers. There was scarcely room to move among them. So was visited that awful imprecation uttered before the judgment seat of Pilate: “His blood be on us, and on our children.” Matthew 27:25.Matthew 27:25-42
The Desire of Ages
Chapter 81—“The Lord Is Risen”
DA 780.3
Christ came forth from the tomb glorified, and the Roman guard beheld Him. Their eyes were riveted upon the face of Him whom they had so recently mocked and derided. In this glorified Being they beheld the prisoner whom they had seen in the judgment hall, the one for whom they had plaited a crown of thorns. This was the One who had stood unresisting before Pilate and Herod, His form lacerated by the cruel scourge. This was He who had been nailed to the cross, at whom the priests and rulers, full of self-satisfaction, had wagged their heads, saying, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.” Matthew 27:42. This was He who had been laid in Joseph’s new tomb. The decree of heaven had loosed the captive. Mountains piled upon mountains over His sepulcher could not have prevented Him from coming forth.DA 785.1
The priests, in putting Christ to death, had made themselves the tools of Satan. Now they were entirely in his power. They were entangled in a snare from which they saw no escape but in continuing their warfare against Christ. When they heard the report of His resurrection, they feared the wrath of the people. They felt that their own lives were in danger. The only hope for them was to prove Christ an impostor by denying that He had risen. They bribed the soldiers, and secured Pilate’s silence. They spread their lying reports far and near. But there were witnesses whom they could not silence. Many had heard of the soldiers’ testimony to Christ’s resurrection. And certain of the dead who came forth with Christ appeared to many, and declared that He had risen. Reports were brought to the priests of persons who had seen these risen ones, and heard their testimony. The priests and rulers were in continual dread, lest in walking the streets, or within the privacy of their own homes, they should come face to face with Christ. They felt that there was no safety for them. Bolts and bars were but poor protection against the Son of God. By day and by night that awful scene in the judgment hall, when they had cried, “His blood be on us, and on our children,” was before them. Matthew 27:25. Nevermore would the memory of that scene fade from their minds. Nevermore would peaceful sleep come to their pillows.Matthew 27:25-51
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 111, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 111, 1897, par. 22
Behold the Son of God suffering on the cross for three terrible hours of agony, enduring the penalty of the transgression of the law, that repentant, believing ones may have eternal life. In the darkest hour, when Christ was enduring the greatest suffering that Satan could bring to torture His humanity, His Father hid from Him His face of love, comfort, and pity. In this trial His heart broke. He cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Matthew 27:46.]12LtMs, Ms 111, 1897, par. 30
When Christ cried, “It is finished,” God’s unseen hand rent the strong fabric composing the veil of the Temple from top to bottom. [Matthew 27:50, 51.] The way into the holiest of all was made manifest. God bowed His head satisfied. Now His justice and mercy could blend. He could be just, and yet the justifier of all should believe on Christ. He looked upon the victim expiring on the cross, and said, “It is finished. The human race shall have another trial.” The redemption price was paid, and Satan fell like lightning from heaven.12LtMs, Ms 111, 1897, par. 37
The ceremonies of the Passover moved on with the usual routine. But the imposing dress of the high priest covered a heart that needed the molding of the Spirit of God, but that would never receive it. The ostentatious and ceremonious rites of their religion were mingled with selfishness, fraud, discontent, and unholy passions. The rulers had chosen Barabbas, and Barabbas they would have as long as life should last. They cried out against Christ, “Crucify him, crucify him.” [Verse 6.] “His blood be on us and on our children.” [Matthew 27:25.] The blood thus invoked upon themselves would indeed be upon them. The characters they had chosen would ever be their characters. By their life and character they contradicted their grand ceremonies. The words, “His blood be on us and on our children,” would never cease to torture the hearts of the speakers. The blight of God’s curse was upon them. Jesus never spurned the true penitent, but He hated hypocrisy cloaked by a garment of religion.12LtMs, Ms 111, 1897, par. 38
All heaven heard the challenge, “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.” [Verse 42.] Never in outward appearance could humanity descend lower than this. But Satan saw that his disguise was torn away, that the character he had tried to fasten on Christ was fastened on himself. It was as if he had the second time fallen from heaven. He had acted out his own attributes. After the crucifixion, he saw that he had over-reached himself. The charges he had made against Christ were made against God Himself. All heaven saw the cruel work done to Christ. In the dreadful scenes transacted in the judgment hall, God showed to the heavenly universe the spirit that would be manifested by those that are unwilling to yield obedience to His law. God then presented the once hidden principles of Satan’s power. All heaven saw them as they were. The sympathies of the heavenly angels were with Christ, and Satan was uprooted.12LtMs, Ms 111, 1897, par. 51
All is terror and confusion. The priest is about to plunge his knife to the heart of the victim, but the knife drops from his nerveless hand, and the lamb, no longer fettered, escapes. At the moment that the expiring Saviour exclaimed, “It is finished,” an unseen hand rent the veil of the Temple from the top to the bottom. [John 19:30; Matthew 27:50, 51.] Thus God said, “I can no longer reveal my presence in the Most Holy Place.”Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 45, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 45, 1897, par. 2
This was the only charge that could be brought against Christ. His words were <misstated and> misapplied, for He had said, “I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.” [Matthew 5:17.] But the priests and rulers, with many others, taunted Him with this false statement. While Christ hung upon the cross, it was repeated in mockery by the scribes and Pharisees, and voiced by the multitude. “They that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself.” [Matthew 27:39, 40.] The statement made by Christ was <misstated. He had said, “Destroy this temple and I will build it again in three days” [John 2:19], which> was being fulfilled, publicity was being given to it, and it was made more impressive by the <misstatement in the> proclamation of His enemies.12LtMs, Ms 45, 1897, par. 3
“Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 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 on him.” [Matthew 27:41, 42.] Would they have believed on Him had He come down? No. In the resurrection of Lazarus, a convincing proof had been given of Christ’s divinity. It was not evidence that the priests and rulers wanted. This they had had, <evidence upon evidence,> but in spite of it, they had sought for false witnesses, that they might mislead the minds of the people, and prejudice them against the truth.12LtMs, Ms 45, 1897, par. 6
Those that in derision uttered the words, “He trusted in God, let him deliver him now, if he will have him; for he said, I am the Son of God,” little thought that their testimony would sound down the ages. [Matthew 27:43.] Although spoken in mockery, never were words more true. Those who placed Christ before the world, hanging on the cross between two thieves, bruised and wounded, bore a testimony to His work. Their words, heard by thousands, led men to search the Scriptures for themselves. Wise men heard, searched, pondered, and prayed.12LtMs, Ms 45, 1897, par. 15
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.” [Matthew 27:45.] The human passions were raging at the foot of the cross when the earth was bereft of the light of the sun. A great darkness clothed the earth as with sackcloth of hair, and enshrouded the cross. The Sun of Righteousness was withdrawing His light from the world, and nature sympathized with her dying author. It was as if the sun, in its noonday splendor had been blotted out. Thus was represented the night of woe [that] had settled down on the Jewish nation.12LtMs, Ms 45, 1897, par. 16
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Verse 46.] These words could not be misunderstood, but the priests and rulers framed them to suit their own understanding. With bitter contempt and scorn, they said, “He calls for Elias.” [Verse 47.] Jesus said, “I thirst.” [John 19:28.] These words, which should have awakened pity in every heart, were held up to ridicule by the priests, in whose hearts humanity was eclipsed by satanic malignity. One of the hardened Roman soldiers, touched with pity as he looked at the parched lips, took a stalk of hyssop, and dipping it in a vessel of vinegar, lifted it to the Saviour’s lips. But from the mockers came the words, “Let be; let us see whether Elias will come and save him.” [Matthew 27:49.]12LtMs, Ms 45, 1897, par. 19
“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom, and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.” [Matthew 27:51.] Those who had induced the people to release Barabbas, and crucify Christ, now trembled with terror. They were conscious of the wicked deed they had done. They realized that they had shed the blood of the Son of God. This they had invoked upon themselves, saying, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” [Verse 25.] Christ had prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” [Luke 23:34.] But they made this prayer an impossibility, for they would not be convicted, they would not repent and be converted.Matthew 27:25-54
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Ms 203, 1898
13LtMs, Ms 203, 1898, par. 1
Christ died under the imputation of sin; but he was raised again for our justification, and every charge against him was cancelled. He came from the tomb glorified. The eyes of the Roman guard were riveted on the face of him whom they had so recently mocked and derided. Can this glorified being be the prisoner they had seen in the judgment hall, the one for whom they had plaited a crown of thorns? Yes; this is he who stood before Pilate and Herod, his form lacerated by the cruel scourge. This is he who was crowned with thorns and robed in an old purple robe, who was nailed to the cross, at whom the priests and rulers, full of self-satisfaction and hatred, wagged their heads, and said, “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.” [Matthew 27:42.] This is he who was laid in Joseph’s tomb. The decrees of heaven had loosed the captive, and the mountains piled upon mountains over his sepulcher could not have prevented him from coming forth.13LtMs, Ms 203, 1898, par. 3
When the soldiers rose from their prostrate position, they fled into the city. To everyone they met, they told their wonderful story, as distinctly and positively as possible. They walked as drunken men; for they were greatly frightened by what they had witnessed. Going to the priests they related to them the circumstances of the resurrection. With painful utterance they said, It was the Son of God who was crucified; for we have heard an angel proclaiming him as the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory. The faces of the priests became as those of the dead. They had been loud in crying, “Crucify him, crucify him.” [John 19:6.] They had said defiantly, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” [Matthew 27:25.] Could they permit the testimony that Christ had risen to go forth? If this were allowed, the assertion made during his trial, that he was the Son of God, would be believed by the people. Caiaphas tried to speak. His lips moved, but he uttered no sound. The soldiers were about to leave the room when a voice stayed them. It was Caiaphas, who at last had found utterance. Wait, wait, he said. Tell no one the things you have seen.13LtMs, Ms 203, 1898, par. 7
So far will men go in fastening themselves in deception. To sustain themselves in their sin, the priests denied facts that it was not possible to make of none effect. In the terrible darkness that came over the earth as Christ hung on the cross, when all nature was convulsed and the earth quaked, the centurion and the hardened soldiers received all the evidence they desired. “When the centurion and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.” [Matthew 27:54.] But the priests were determined to reject the light. With a desperate effort to disprove the testimony of the guards, they affirmed that Christ’s body had been stolen. Everywhere the words were sounded, The body of Christ was stolen, the grave robbed.Matthew 27:25-65
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 94, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 94, 1897, par. 6
Death and the grave must hold Him whom they had crucified. “Command,” they said to Pilate, “that the sepulcher be made sure unto the third day, lest his disciples come by night and steal him away, and say to the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said to them, Ye have a watch; go your way, and make it as secure as ye can.” [Matthew 27:64, 65.]12LtMs, Ms 94, 1897, par. 14
Christ came from the tomb glorified. The eyes of the Roman guard were riveted on the face of Him whom they had so recently mocked and derided. Can this glorified being be the prisoner they saw in the judgment hall, the one for whom they plaited a crown of thorns? This is the one that stood before Pilate and Herod, His form lacerated by the cruel scourge, This is He who has clothed in an old purple robe, and crowned with thorns, who was nailed to the cross, at whom the priests and rulers, full of self-satisfaction and hatred, wagged their heads, and said, “He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now down from the cross, and we will believe him.” [Matthew 27:42.] This is He who was laid in Joseph’s new tomb. The decree of heaven had loosed the captive. Mountains piled upon mountains over His sepulcher could not have prevented Him coming forth.12LtMs, Ms 94, 1897, par. 17
The faces of the priests were as those of the dead. They had been loud in crying, “Crucify him, crucify him,” and they had said, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” [John 19:6; Matthew 27:25.] Could they permit a testimony that Christ had risen from the dead to go forth? If this were allowed, the assertion made during His trial, that He was the Son of God, would be believed. Caiaphas tried to speak. His lips moved, but he uttered no sound. The soldiers were about to leave the council room when a voice stayed them. It was Caiaphas, who at last had found his voice. Wait, wait, he said. Tell no one the things you have seen.12LtMs, Ms 94, 1897, par. 27
“When the centurion and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.” [Matthew 27:54.] But the priests were determined to reject the light, and everywhere the words were sounded, the body of Christ was stolen, the grave robbed.Matthew 27:26-33
Conflict and Courage
The Cross Bearer, November 15
CC 325.1
And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus. Luke 23:26.CC 325.2
Jesus had hardly passed the gate of Pilate’s house when the cross which had been prepared for Barabbas was brought out and laid upon His bruised and bleeding shoulders. He had borne His burden but a few rods, when, from loss of blood and excessive weariness and pain, He fell fainting to the ground. When He revived, the cross was again placed upon His shoulders, and He was forced forward. He staggered on for a few steps, bearing His heavy load, and then fell as one lifeless to the ground. The priests and rulers felt no compassion for their suffering victim, but they saw that it was impossible for Him to carry the instrument of torture farther. They were puzzled to find anyone who would humiliate himself to bear the cross to the place of execution.35Manuscript 41, 1887.CC 325.3
The crowd that followed the Saviour to Calvary taunted and reviled Him because He could not carry the wooden cross. They all saw the weak and staggering steps of Christ, but compassion did not reveal itself in the hearts of those who had advanced from one step to another in their abuse and torture of the Son of God....CC 325.4
A stranger, Simon, a Cyrenian, coming to the city from the country, hears the crowd pass the taunts and ribaldry; he hears the contemptuous repetition, “Make way for the King of the Jews.” He stops in astonishment at the scene, and as he expresses his compassion in words and deeds, they seize him and compel him to lift the cross which is too heavy for Christ to bear.... That wooden cross borne by him to Calvary was the means of Simon taking upon himself the cross of Christ from choice, to ever cheerfully stand beneath its burden. His compulsory companionship with Christ in bearing His cross to Calvary, in beholding the sad and dreadful work and the spectators beneath the cross, was the means of drawing his heart to Jesus. Every word from the lips of Christ was graven upon his soul.... And the heart of Simon believed.36Manuscript 103, 1897.Matthew 27:31-53
The Desire of Ages
Chapter 78—Calvary
DA 741.1
“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him.”DA 741.2
“That He might sanctify the people with His own blood,” Christ “suffered without the gate.” Hebrews 13:12. For transgression of the law of God, Adam and Eve were banished from Eden. Christ, our substitute, was to suffer without the boundaries of Jerusalem. He died outside the gate, where felons and murderers were executed. Full of significance are the words, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.” Galatians 3:13.DA 741.3
A vast multitude followed Jesus from the judgment hall to Calvary. The news of His condemnation had spread throughout Jerusalem, and people of all classes and all ranks flocked toward the place of crucifixion. The priests and rulers had been bound by a promise not to molest Christ’s followers if He Himself were delivered to them, and the disciples and believers from the city and the surrounding region joined the throng that followed the Saviour.DA 741.4
As Jesus passed the gate of Pilate’s court, the cross which had been prepared for Barabbas was laid upon His bruised and bleeding shoulders. Two companions of Barabbas were to suffer death at the same time with Jesus, and upon them also crosses were placed. The Saviour’s burden was too heavy for Him in His weak and suffering condition. Since the Passover supper with His disciples, He had taken neither food nor drink. He had agonized in the garden of Gethsemane in conflict with satanic agencies. He had endured the anguish of the betrayal, and had seen His disciples forsake Him and flee. He had been taken to Annas, then to Caiaphas, and then to Pilate. From Pilate He had been sent to Herod, then sent again to Pilate. From insult to renewed insult, from mockery to mockery, twice tortured by the scourge,—all that night there had been scene after scene of a character to try the soul of man to the uttermost. Christ had not failed. He had spoken no word but that tended to glorify God. All through the disgraceful farce of a trial He had borne Himself with firmness and dignity. But when after the second scourging the cross was laid upon Him, human nature could bear no more. He fell fainting beneath the burden.DA 742.1
The crowd that followed the Saviour saw His weak and staggering steps, but they manifested no compassion. They taunted and reviled Him because He could not carry the heavy cross. Again the burden was laid upon Him, and again He fell fainting to the ground. His persecutors saw that it was impossible for Him to carry His burden farther. They were puzzled to find anyone who would bear the humiliating load. The Jews themselves could not do this, because the defilement would prevent them from keeping the Passover. None even of the mob that followed Him would stoop to bear the cross.DA 742.2
At this time a stranger, Simon a Cyrenian, coming in from the country, meets the throng. He hears the taunts and ribaldry of the crowd; he hears the words contemptuously repeated, Make way for the King of the Jews! He stops in astonishment at the scene; and as he expresses his compassion, they seize him and place the cross upon his shoulders.DA 742.3
Simon had heard of Jesus. His sons were believers in the Saviour, but he himself was not a disciple. The bearing of the cross to Calvary was a blessing to Simon, and he was ever after grateful for this providence. It led him to take upon himself the cross of Christ from choice, and ever cheerfully stand beneath its burden.DA 742.4
Not a few women are in the crowd that follow the Uncondemned to His cruel death. Their attention is fixed upon Jesus. Some of them have seen Him before. Some have carried to Him their sick and suffering ones. Some have themselves been healed. The story of the scenes that have taken place is related. They wonder at the hatred of the crowd toward Him for whom their own hearts are melting and ready to break. And notwithstanding the action of the maddened throng, and the angry words of the priests and rulers, these women give expression to their sympathy. As Jesus falls fainting beneath the cross, they break forth into mournful wailing.DA 743.1
This was the only thing that attracted Christ’s attention. Although full of suffering, while bearing the sins of the world, He was not indifferent to the expression of grief. He looked upon these women with tender compassion. They were not believers in Him; He knew that they were not lamenting Him as one sent from God, but were moved by feelings of human pity. He did not despise their sympathy, but it awakened in His heart a deeper sympathy for them. “Daughters of Jerusalem,” He said, “weep not for Me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.” From the scene before Him, Christ looked forward to the time of Jerusalem’s destruction. In that terrible scene, many of those who were now weeping for Him were to perish with their children.DA 743.2
From the fall of Jerusalem the thoughts of Jesus passed to a wider judgment. In the destruction of the impenitent city He saw a symbol of the final destruction to come upon the world. He said, “Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” By the green tree, Jesus represented Himself, the innocent Redeemer. God suffered His wrath against transgression to fall on His beloved Son. Jesus was to be crucified for the sins of men. What suffering, then, would the sinner bear who continued in sin? All the impenitent and unbelieving would know a sorrow and misery that language would fail to express.DA 743.3
Of the multitude that followed the Saviour to Calvary, many had attended Him with joyful hosannas and the waving of palm branches as He rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. But not a few who had then shouted His praise, because it was popular to do so, now swelled the cry of “Crucify Him, crucify Him.” When Christ rode into Jerusalem, the hopes of the disciples had been raised to the highest pitch. They had pressed close about their Master, feeling that it was a high honor to be connected with Him. Now in His humiliation they followed Him at a distance. They were filled with grief, and bowed down with disappointed hopes. How were the words of Jesus verified: “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.” Matthew 26:31.DA 744.1
Arriving at the place of execution, the prisoners were bound to the instruments of torture. The two thieves wrestled in the hands of those who placed them on the cross; but Jesus made no resistance. The mother of Jesus, supported by John the beloved disciple, had followed the steps of her Son to Calvary. She had seen Him fainting under the burden of the cross, and had longed to place a supporting hand beneath His wounded head, and to bathe that brow which had once been pillowed upon her bosom. But she was not permitted this mournful privilege. With the disciples she still cherished the hope that Jesus would manifest His power, and deliver Himself from His enemies. Again her heart would sink as she recalled the words in which He had foretold the very scenes that were then taking place. As the thieves were bound to the cross, she looked on with agonizing suspense. Would He who had given life to the dead suffer Himself to be crucified? Would the Son of God suffer Himself to be thus cruelly slain? Must she give up her faith that Jesus was the Messiah? Must she witness His shame and sorrow, without even the privilege of ministering to Him in His distress? She saw His hands stretched upon the cross; the hammer and the nails were brought, and as the spikes were driven through the tender flesh, the heart-stricken disciples bore away from the cruel scene the fainting form of the mother of Jesus.DA 744.2
The Saviour made no murmur of complaint. His face remained calm and serene, but great drops of sweat stood upon His brow. There was no pitying hand to wipe the death dew from His face, nor words of sympathy and unchanging fidelity to stay His human heart. While the soldiers were doing their fearful work, Jesus prayed for His enemies, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” His mind passed from His own suffering to the sin of His persecutors, and the terrible retribution that would be theirs. No curses were called down upon the soldiers who were handling Him so roughly. No vengeance was invoked upon the priests and rulers, who were gloating over the accomplishment of their purpose. Christ pitied them in their ignorance and guilt. He breathed only a plea for their forgiveness,—“for they know not what they do.”DA 744.3
Had they known that they were putting to torture One who had come to save the sinful race from eternal ruin, they would have been seized with remorse and horror. But their ignorance did not remove their guilt; for it was their privilege to know and accept Jesus as their Saviour. Some of them would yet see their sin, and repent, and be converted. Some by their impenitence would make it an impossibility for the prayer of Christ to be answered for them. Yet, just the same, God’s purpose was reaching its fulfillment. Jesus was earning the right to become the advocate of men in the Father’s presence.DA 745.1
That prayer of Christ for His enemies embraced the world. It took in every sinner that had lived or should live, from the beginning of the world to the end of time. Upon all rests the guilt of crucifying the Son of God. To all, forgiveness is freely offered. “Whosoever will” may have peace with God, and inherit eternal life.DA 745.2
As soon as Jesus was nailed to the cross, it was lifted by strong men, and with great violence thrust into the place prepared for it. This caused the most intense agony to the Son of God. Pilate then wrote an inscription in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, and placed it upon the cross, above the head of Jesus. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.” This inscription irritated the Jews. In Pilate’s court they had cried, “Crucify Him.” “We have no king but Caesar.” John 19:15. They had declared that whoever should acknowledge any other king was a traitor. Pilate wrote out the sentiment they had expressed. No offense was mentioned, except that Jesus was the King of the Jews. The inscription was a virtual acknowledgment of the allegiance of the Jews to the Roman power. It declared that whoever might claim to be the King of Israel would be judged by them worthy of death. The priests had overreached themselves. When they were plotting the death of Christ, Caiaphas had declared it expedient that one man should die to save the nation. Now their hypocrisy was revealed. In order to destroy Christ, they had been ready to sacrifice even their national existence.DA 745.3
The priests saw what they had done, and asked Pilate to change the inscription. They said, “Write not, The King of the Jews; but that He said, I am King of the Jews.” But Pilate was angry with himself because of his former weakness, and he thoroughly despised the jealous and artful priests and rulers. He replied coldly, “What I have written I have written.”DA 745.4
A higher power than Pilate or the Jews had directed the placing of that inscription above the head of Jesus. In the providence of God it was to awaken thought, and investigation of the Scriptures. The place where Christ was crucified was near to the city. Thousands of people from all lands were then at Jerusalem, and the inscription declaring Jesus of Nazareth the Messiah would come to their notice. It was a living truth, transcribed by a hand that God had guided.DA 746.1
In the sufferings of Christ upon the cross prophecy was fulfilled. Centuries before the crucifixion, the Saviour had foretold the treatment He was to receive. He said, “Dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet. I may tell all My bones: they look and stare upon Me. They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture.” Psalm 22:16-18. The prophecy concerning His garments was carried out without counsel or interference from the friends or the enemies of the Crucified One. To the soldiers who had placed Him upon the cross, His clothing was given. Christ heard the men’s contention as they parted the garments among them. His tunic was woven throughout without seam, and they said, “Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be.”DA 746.2
In another prophecy the Saviour declared, “Reproach hath broken My heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave Me also gall for My meat; and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink.” Psalm 69:20, 21. To those who suffered death by the cross, it was permitted to give a stupefying potion, to deaden the sense of pain. This was offered to Jesus; but when He had tasted it, He refused it. He would receive nothing that could becloud His mind. His faith must keep fast hold upon God. This was His only strength. To becloud His senses would give Satan an advantage.DA 746.3
The enemies of Jesus vented their rage upon Him as He hung upon the cross. Priests, rulers, and scribes joined with the mob in mocking the dying Saviour. At the baptism and at the transfiguration the voice of God had been heard proclaiming Christ as His Son. Again, just before Christ’s betrayal, the Father had spoken, witnessing to His divinity. But now the voice from heaven was silent. No testimony in Christ’s favor was heard. Alone He suffered abuse and mockery from wicked men.DA 746.4
“If Thou be the Son of God,” they said, “come down from the cross.” “Let Him save Himself, if He be Christ, the chosen of God.” In the wilderness of temptation Satan had declared, “If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” “If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down” from the pinnacle of the temple. Matthew 4:3, 6. And Satan with his angels, in human form, was present at the cross. The archfiend and his hosts were co-operating with the priests and rulers. The teachers of the people had stimulated the ignorant mob to pronounce judgment against One upon whom many of them had never looked, until urged to bear testimony against Him. Priests, rulers, Pharisees, and the hardened rabble were confederated together in a satanic frenzy. Religious rulers united with Satan and his angels. They were doing his bidding.DA 749.1
Jesus, suffering and dying, heard every word as the priests declared, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Christ could have come down from the cross. But it is because He would not save Himself that the sinner has hope of pardon and favor with God.DA 749.2
In their mockery of the Saviour, the men who professed to be the expounders of prophecy were repeating the very words which Inspiration had foretold they would utter upon this occasion. Yet in their blindness they did not see that they were fulfilling the prophecy. Those who in derision uttered the words, “He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him: for He said, I am the Son of God,” little thought that their testimony would sound down the ages. But although spoken in mockery, these words led men to search the Scriptures as they had never done before. Wise men heard, searched, pondered, and prayed. There were those who never rested until, by comparing scripture with scripture, they saw the meaning of Christ’s mission. Never before was there such a general knowledge of Jesus as when He hung upon the cross. Into the hearts of many who beheld the crucifixion scene, and who heard Christ’s words, the light of truth was shining.DA 749.3
To Jesus in His agony on the cross there came one gleam of comfort. It was the prayer of the penitent thief. Both the men who were crucified with Jesus had at first railed upon Him; and one under his suffering only became more desperate and defiant. But not so with his companion. This man was not a hardened criminal; he had been led astray by evil associations, but he was less guilty than many of those who stood beside the cross reviling the Saviour. He had seen and heard Jesus, and had been convicted by His teaching, but he had been turned away from Him by the priests and rulers. Seeking to stifle conviction, he had plunged deeper and deeper into sin, until he was arrested, tried as a criminal, and condemned to die on the cross. In the judgment hall and on the way to Calvary he had been in company with Jesus. He had heard Pilate declare, “I find no fault in Him.” John 19:4. He had marked His godlike bearing, and His pitying forgiveness of His tormentors. On the cross he sees the many great religionists shoot out the tongue with scorn, and ridicule the Lord Jesus. He sees the wagging heads. He hears the upbraiding speeches taken up by his companion in guilt: “If Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us.” Among the passers-by he hears many defending Jesus. He hears them repeat His words, and tell of His works. The conviction comes back to him that this is the Christ. Turning to his fellow criminal he says, “Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?” The dying thieves have no longer anything to fear from man. But upon one of them presses the conviction that there is a God to fear, a future to cause him to tremble. And now, all sin-polluted as it is, his life history is about to close. “And we indeed justly,” he moans; “for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this Man hath done nothing amiss.”DA 750.1
There is no question now. There are no doubts, no reproaches. When condemned for his crime, the thief had become hopeless and despairing; but strange, tender thoughts now spring up. He calls to mind all he has heard of Jesus, how He has healed the sick and pardoned sin. He has heard the words of those who believed in Jesus and followed Him weeping. He has seen and read the title above the Saviour’s head. He has heard the passers-by repeat it, some with grieved, quivering lips, others with jesting and mockery. The Holy Spirit illuminates his mind, and little by little the chain of evidence is joined together. In Jesus, bruised, mocked, and hanging upon the cross, he sees the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. Hope is mingled with anguish in his voice as the helpless, dying soul casts himself upon a dying Saviour. “Lord, remember me,” he cries, “when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.”DA 750.2
Quickly the answer came. Soft and melodious the tone, full of love, compassion, and power the words: Verily I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in paradise.DA 750.3
For long hours of agony, reviling and mockery have fallen upon the ears of Jesus. As He hangs upon the cross, there floats up to Him still the sound of jeers and curses. With longing heart He has listened for some expression of faith from His disciples. He has heard only the mournful words, “We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel.” How grateful then to the Saviour was the utterance of faith and love from the dying thief! While the leading Jews deny Him, and even the disciples doubt His divinity, the poor thief, upon the brink of eternity, calls Jesus Lord. Many were ready to call Him Lord when He wrought miracles, and after He had risen from the grave; but none acknowledged Him as He hung dying upon the cross save the penitent thief who was saved at the eleventh hour.DA 751.1
The bystanders caught the words as the thief called Jesus Lord. The tone of the repentant man arrested their attention. Those who at the foot of the cross had been quarreling over Christ’s garments, and casting lots upon His vesture, stopped to listen. Their angry tones were hushed. With bated breath they looked upon Christ, and waited for the response from those dying lips.DA 751.2
As He spoke the words of promise, the dark cloud that seemed to enshroud the cross was pierced by a bright and living light. To the penitent thief came the perfect peace of acceptance with God. Christ in His humiliation was glorified. He who in all other eyes appeared to be conquered was a Conqueror. He was acknowledged as the Sin Bearer. Men may exercise power over His human body. They may pierce the holy temples with the crown of thorns. They may strip from Him His raiment, and quarrel over its division. But they cannot rob Him of His power to forgive sins. In dying He bears testimony to His own divinity and to the glory of the Father. His ear is not heavy that it cannot hear, neither His arm shortened that it cannot save. It is His royal right to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God by Him.DA 751.3
I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise. Christ did not promise that the thief should be with Him in Paradise that day. He Himself did not go that day to Paradise. He slept in the tomb, and on the morning of the resurrection He said, “I am not yet ascended to My Father.” John 20:17. But on the day of the crucifixion, the day of apparent defeat and darkness, the promise was given. “Today” while dying upon the cross as a malefactor, Christ assures the poor sinner, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.DA 751.4
The thieves crucified with Jesus were placed “on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.” This was done by the direction of the priests and rulers. Christ’s position between the thieves was to indicate that He was the greatest criminal of the three. Thus was fulfilled the scripture, “He was numbered with the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:12. But the full meaning of their act the priests did not see. As Jesus, crucified with the thieves, was placed “in the midst,” so His cross was placed in the midst of a world lying in sin. And the words of pardon spoken to the penitent thief kindled a light that will shine to the earth’s remotest bounds.DA 752.1
With amazement the angels beheld the infinite love of Jesus, who, suffering the most intense agony of mind and body, thought only of others, and encouraged the penitent soul to believe. In His humiliation He as a prophet had addressed the daughters of Jerusalem; as priest and advocate He had pleaded with the Father to forgive His murderers; as a loving Saviour He had forgiven the sins of the penitent thief.DA 752.2
As the eyes of Jesus wandered over the multitude about Him, one figure arrested His attention. At the foot of the cross stood His mother, supported by the disciple John. She could not endure to remain away from her Son; and John, knowing that the end was near, had brought her again to the cross. In His dying hour, Christ remembered His mother. Looking into her grief-stricken face and then upon John, He said to her, “Woman, behold thy son!” then to John, “Behold thy mother!” John understood Christ’s words, and accepted the trust. He at once took Mary to his home, and from that hour cared for her tenderly. O pitiful, loving Saviour; amid all His physical pain and mental anguish, He had a thoughtful care for His mother! He had no money with which to provide for her comfort; but He was enshrined in the heart of John, and He gave His mother to him as a precious legacy. Thus He provided for her that which she most needed,—the tender sympathy of one who loved her because she loved Jesus. And in receiving her as a sacred trust, John was receiving a great blessing. She was a constant reminder of his beloved Master.DA 752.3
The perfect example of Christ’s filial love shines forth with undimmed luster from the mist of ages. For nearly thirty years Jesus by His daily toil had helped bear the burdens of the home. And now, even in His last agony, He remembers to provide for His sorrowing, widowed mother. The same spirit will be seen in every disciple of our Lord. Those who follow Christ will feel that it is a part of their religion to respect and provide for their parents. From the heart where His love is cherished, father and mother will never fail of receiving thoughtful care and tender sympathy.DA 752.4
And now the Lord of glory was dying, a ransom for the race. In yielding up His precious life, Christ was not upheld by triumphant joy. All was oppressive gloom. It was not the dread of death that weighed upon Him. It was not the pain and ignominy of the cross that caused His inexpressible agony. Christ was the prince of sufferers; but His suffering was from a sense of the malignity of sin, a knowledge that through familiarity with evil, man had become blinded to its enormity. Christ saw how deep is the hold of sin upon the human heart, how few would be willing to break from its power. He knew that without help from God, humanity must perish, and He saw multitudes perishing within reach of abundant help.DA 753.1
Upon Christ as our substitute and surety was laid the iniquity of us all. He was counted a transgressor, that He might redeem us from the condemnation of the law. The guilt of every descendant of Adam was pressing upon His heart. The wrath of God against sin, the terrible manifestation of His displeasure because of iniquity, filled the soul of His Son with consternation. All His life Christ had been publishing to a fallen world the good news of the Father’s mercy and pardoning love. Salvation for the chief of sinners was His theme. But now with the terrible weight of guilt He bears, He cannot see the Father’s reconciling face. The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Saviour in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt.DA 753.2
Satan with his fierce temptations wrung the heart of Jesus. The Saviour could not see through the portals of the tomb. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father’s acceptance of the sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their separation was to be eternal. Christ felt the anguish which the sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father’s wrath upon Him as man’s substitute, that made the cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of God.DA 753.3
With amazement angels witnessed the Saviour’s despairing agony. The hosts of heaven veiled their faces from the fearful sight. Inanimate nature expressed sympathy with its insulted and dying Author. The sun refused to look upon the awful scene. Its full, bright rays were illuminating the earth at midday, when suddenly it seemed to be blotted out. Complete darkness, like a funeral pall, enveloped the cross. “There was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.” There was no eclipse or other natural cause for this darkness, which was as deep as midnight without moon or stars. It was a miraculous testimony given by God that the faith of after generations might be confirmed.DA 753.4
In that thick darkness God’s presence was hidden. He makes darkness His pavilion, and conceals His glory from human eyes. God and His holy angels were beside the cross. The Father was with His Son. Yet His presence was not revealed. Had His glory flashed forth from the cloud, every human beholder would have been destroyed. And in that dreadful hour Christ was not to be comforted with the Father’s presence. He trod the wine press alone, and of the people there was none with Him.DA 754.1
In the thick darkness, God veiled the last human agony of His Son. All who had seen Christ in His suffering had been convicted of His divinity. That face, once beheld by humanity, was never forgotten. As the face of Cain expressed his guilt as a murderer, so the face of Christ revealed innocence, serenity, benevolence,—the image of God. But His accusers would not give heed to the signet of heaven. Through long hours of agony Christ had been gazed upon by the jeering multitude. Now He was mercifully hidden by the mantle of God.DA 754.2
The silence of the grave seemed to have fallen upon Calvary. A nameless terror held the throng that was gathered about the cross. The cursing and reviling ceased in the midst of half-uttered sentences. Men, women, and children fell prostrate upon the earth. Vivid lightnings occasionally flashed forth from the cloud, and revealed the cross and the crucified Redeemer. Priests, rulers, scribes, executioners, and the mob, all thought that their time of retribution had come. After a while some whispered that Jesus would now come down from the cross. Some attempted to grope their way back to the city, beating their breasts and wailing in fear.DA 754.3
At the ninth hour the darkness lifted from the people, but still enveloped the Saviour. It was a symbol of the agony and horror that weighed upon His heart. No eye could pierce the gloom that surrounded the cross, and none could penetrate the deeper gloom that enshrouded the suffering soul of Christ. The angry lightnings seemed to be hurled at Him as He hung upon the cross. Then “Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” As the outer gloom settled about the Saviour, many voices exclaimed: The vengeance of heaven is upon Him. The bolts of God’s wrath are hurled at Him, because He claimed to be the Son of God. Many who believed on Him heard His despairing cry. Hope left them. If God had forsaken Jesus, in what could His followers trust?DA 754.4
When the darkness lifted from the oppressed spirit of Christ, He revived to a sense of physical suffering, and said, “I thirst.” One of the Roman soldiers, touched with pity as he looked at the parched lips, took a sponge on a stalk of hyssop, and dipping it in a vessel of vinegar, offered it to Jesus. But the priests mocked at His agony. When darkness covered the earth, they had been filled with fear; as their terror abated, the dread returned that Jesus would yet escape them. His words, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” they had misinterpreted. With bitter contempt and scorn they said, “This man calleth for Elias.” The last opportunity to relieve His sufferings they refused. “Let be,” they said, “let us see whether Elias will come to save Him.”DA 755.1
The spotless Son of God hung upon the cross, His flesh lacerated with stripes; those hands so often reached out in blessing, nailed to the wooden bars; those feet so tireless on ministries of love, spiked to the tree; that royal head pierced by the crown of thorns; those quivering lips shaped to the cry of woe. And all that He endured—the blood drops that flowed from His head, His hands, His feet, the agony that racked His frame, and the unutterable anguish that filled His soul at the hiding of His Father’s face—speaks to each child of humanity, declaring, It is for thee that the Son of God consents to bear this burden of guilt; for thee He spoils the domain of death, and opens the gates of Paradise. He who stilled the angry waves and walked the foam-capped billows, who made devils tremble and disease flee, who opened blind eyes and called forth the dead to life,—offers Himself upon the cross as a sacrifice, and this from love to thee. He, the Sin Bearer, endures the wrath of divine justice, and for thy sake becomes sin itself.DA 756.1
In silence the beholders watched for the end of the fearful scene. The sun shone forth; but the cross was still enveloped in darkness. Priests and rulers looked toward Jerusalem; and lo, the dense cloud had settled over the city and the plains of Judea. The Sun of Righteousness, the Light of the world, was withdrawing His beams from the once favored city of Jerusalem. The fierce lightnings of God’s wrath were directed against the fated city.DA 756.2
Suddenly the gloom lifted from the cross, and in clear, trumpetlike tones, that seemed to resound throughout creation, Jesus cried, “It is finished.” “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” A light encircled the cross, and the face of the Saviour shone with a glory like the sun. He then bowed His head upon His breast, and died.DA 756.3
Amid the awful darkness, apparently forsaken of God, Christ had drained the last dregs in the cup of human woe. In those dreadful hours He had relied upon the evidence of His Father’s acceptance heretofore given Him. He was acquainted with the character of His Father; He understood His justice, His mercy, and His great love. By faith He rested in Him whom it had ever been His joy to obey. And as in submission He committed Himself to God, the sense of the loss of His Father’s favor was withdrawn. By faith, Christ was victor.DA 756.4
Never before had the earth witnessed such a scene. The multitude stood paralyzed, and with bated breath gazed upon the Saviour. Again darkness settled upon the earth, and a hoarse rumbling, like heavy thunder, was heard. There was a violent earthquake. The people were shaken together in heaps. The wildest confusion and consternation ensued. In the surrounding mountains, rocks were rent asunder, and went crashing down into the plains. Sepulchers were broken open, and the dead were cast out of their tombs. Creation seemed to be shivering to atoms. Priests, rulers, soldiers, executioners, and people, mute with terror, lay prostrate upon the ground.DA 756.5
When the loud cry, “It is finished,” came from the lips of Christ, the priests were officiating in the temple. It was the hour of the evening sacrifice. The lamb representing Christ had been brought to be slain. Clothed in his significant and beautiful dress, the priest stood with lifted knife, as did Abraham when he was about to slay his son. With intense interest the people were looking on. But the earth trembles and quakes; for the Lord Himself draws near. With a rending noise the inner veil of the temple is torn from top to bottom by an unseen hand, throwing open to the gaze of the multitude a place once filled with the presence of God. In this place the Shekinah had dwelt. Here God had manifested His glory above the mercy seat. No one but the high priest ever lifted the veil separating this apartment from the rest of the temple. He entered in once a year to make an atonement for the sins of the people. But lo, this veil is rent in twain. The most holy place of the earthly sanctuary is no longer sacred.DA 757.1
All is terror and confusion. The priest is about to slay the victim; but the knife drops from his nerveless hand, and the lamb escapes. Type has met antitype in the death of God’s Son. The great sacrifice has been made. The way into the holiest is laid open. A new and living way is prepared for all. No longer need sinful, sorrowing humanity await the coming of the high priest. Henceforth the Saviour was to officiate as priest and advocate in the heaven of heavens. It was as if a living voice had spoken to the worshipers: There is now an end to all sacrifices and offerings for sin. The Son of God is come according to His word, “Lo, I come (in the volume of the Book it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God.” “By His own blood” He entereth “in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 10:7; 9:12.From Heaven With Love
Chapter 78—Jesus Dies on Calvary
HLv 495.1
“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him.”HLv 495.2
The news of Christ’s condemnation had spread, and people of all classes and ranks flocked toward the place of crucifixion. The priests and rulers had been bound by a promise not to molest Christ’s followers if He Himself were delivered to them, and the disciples and believers joined the throng.HLv 495.3
The cross which had been prepared for Barabbas was laid on Jesus’ bleeding shoulders. Two companions of Barabbas were to suffer death at the same time, and on them also crosses were placed. Since the Passover supper with His disciples, Jesus had taken neither food nor drink. He had endured the anguish of betrayal and had seen His disciples forsake Him. He had been taken to Annas, to Caiaphas, to Pilate, to Herod, then again to Pilate. All that night there had been scene after scene to try the soul of man to the uttermost. Christ had not failed. He had borne Himself with dignity. But when after the second scourging the cross was laid on Him, human nature could bear no more. He fell fainting beneath the burden.HLv 495.4
The crowd manifested no compassion. They taunted Him because He could not carry the heavy cross. Again the burden was laid on Him, and again He fell. His persecutors saw that it was impossible for Him to carry His burden further. Who would bear the humiliating load? The Jews could not, because the defilement would prevent them from keeping the Passover.HLv 496.1
At this time a stranger, Simon a Cyrenian, coming in from the country, met the throng. He stopped in astonishment at the scene, and as he expressed compassion, they seized him and placed the cross on his shoulders.HLv 496.2
Simon’s sons were believers in the Saviour, but he himself was not. Bearing the cross to Calvary was a blessing to Simon. It led him to take the cross of Christ from choice and ever cheerfully stand beneath its burden.HLv 496.3
Not a few women were in the crowd that followed the Uncondemned to His cruel death. Some had carried to Him their sick and suffering ones. Some had themselves been healed. They wondered at the hatred of the crowd toward Him. And notwithstanding the angry words of priests and rulers, as Jesus fell beneath the cross these women broke forth into wailing. This attracted Christ’s attention. He knew that they were not lamenting Him as one sent from God, but He did not despise their sympathy. It awakened in His heart a deeper sympathy for them. “Daughters of Jerusalem,” He said, “weep not for Me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.” Christ looked forward to the time of Jerusalem’s destruction when many who were now weeping for Him were to perish with their children.HLv 496.4
From the fall of Jerusalem the thoughts of Jesus passed to a wider judgment. In the destruction of the impenitent city He saw a symbol of the final destruction to come on the world: “Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” The green tree represented Himself, the innocent Redeemer. God’s wrath against transgression fell on His beloved Son. What suffering, then, would the sinner bear who continued in sin? The impenitent would know a sorrow that language would fail to express.HLv 497.1
Of the multitude that followed the Saviour to Calvary, many had attended Him with hosannas and palm branches as He rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. Not a few who then shouted His praise because it was popular, now swelled the cry, “Crucify Him!” When Christ rode into Jerusalem, the disciples pressed close about Him, feeling that it was a high honor to be connected with Him. Now in His humiliation they followed Him at a distance.HLv 497.2
At the place of execution, the two thieves wrestled in the hands of those who placed them on the cross; but Jesus made no resistance. The mother of Jesus, supported by John, had followed the steps of her Son to Calvary. She had longed to place a supporting hand beneath His wounded head. But she was not permitted this mournful privilege. She still cherished the hope that Jesus would deliver Himself from His enemies. Again her heart would sink, as she recalled He had foretold the very scenes then taking place.HLv 497.3
As the thieves were bound to the cross, she looked on with agonizing suspense. Would He who had given life to the dead suffer Himself to be crucified? Must she give up her faith that He was the Messiah? She saw His hands stretched on the cross; the hammer and nails were brought, and as the spikes were driven through the tender flesh, the disciples bore away from the cruel scene the fainting form of the mother of Jesus.HLv 497.4
The Saviour made no complaint, but great drops of sweat stood on His brow. There was no pitying hand to wipe the death dew from His face; no words of sympathy and fidelity to stay His human heart. While the soldiers were doing their fearful work, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” His mind passed from His own suffering to the terrible retribution that would be theirs. No curses were called down on the soldiers who were handling Him so roughly, no vengeance invoked on the priests and rulers. He breathed only a plea for their forgiveness—they “know not what they do.”HLv 498.1
But their ignorance did not remove their guilt, for it was their privilege to know and accept Jesus as their Saviour. Some would yet see their sin, and repent, and be converted. Some by impenitence would make it impossible for the prayer of Christ to be answered for them. Yet, just the same, God’s purpose was reaching its fulfillment. Jesus was earning the right to become the advocate of men in the Father’s presence.HLv 498.2
That prayer of Christ for His enemies took in every sinner from the beginning of the world to the end of time. Upon all rests the guilt of crucifying the Son of God. To all, forgiveness is freely offered.HLv 498.3
As soon as Jesus was nailed to the cross, it was lifted by strong men and with violence thrust into the place prepared for it. This caused intense agony. Pilate then wrote an inscription in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, and placed it on the cross above the head of Jesus. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” This irritated the Jews. They had cried, “We have no king but Caesar.” They had declared that whoever should acknowledge any other king was a traitor. Pilate wrote what they had expressed. No offense was mentioned, except that Jesus was the King of the Jews, a virtual acknowledgment of the allegiance of the Jews to Rome. It declared that whoever might claim to be the King of Israel would be judged by them worthy of death. In order to destroy Christ, the priests had been ready to sacrifice even their national existence.HLv 498.4
The priests asked Pilate to change the inscription. “Write not, The King of the Jews; but that He said, I am King of the Jews.” But Pilate, angry with himself, replied coldly, “What I have written I have written.”HLv 498.5
In the providence of God that inscription was to awaken investigation of the Scriptures. People from all lands were then at Jerusalem, and the inscription declaring Jesus the Messiah would come to their notice. It was transcribed by a hand that God had guided.HLv 498.6
In the sufferings of Christ on the cross, prophecy was fulfilled. “The assembly of the wicked have enclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet... . They part My garments among them, and cast lots upon My vesture.” Psalm 22:16-18. His clothing was given to the soldiers. His tunic was woven without seam, and they said, “Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be.”HLv 499.1
In another prophecy the Saviour declared, “I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave Me also gall for my meat; and in My thirst they gave Me vinegar to drink.” Psalm 69:20, 21. To those who suffered death by the cross, it was permitted to give a stupefying drug to deaden the pain. But when Jesus had tasted it, He refused it. His faith must keep hold on God, His only strength. To becloud His senses would give Satan an advantage.HLv 499.2
Priests, rulers, and scribes joined the mob in mocking the dying Saviour. The Father’s voice from heaven, witnessing to Christ’s divinity, was silent. No testimony in His favor was heard. Alone He suffered.HLv 499.3
“If Thou be the Son of God,” they said, “come down from the cross.” “Let Him save Himself, if He be Christ, the chosen of God.” Satan and his angels, in human form, were present at the cross, cooperating with the priests and rulers, confederated in a satanic frenzy.HLv 499.4
Jesus heard the priests declare, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Christ could have come down from the cross. But because He would not save Himself, the sinner has hope of pardon and favor with God.HLv 499.5
To Jesus on the cross there came one gleam of comfort—the prayer of the penitent thief. Both men crucified with Jesus at first railed on Him; and one under his suffering only became more desperate and defiant. But his companion was not a hardened criminal; he was less guilty than many who stood beside the cross reviling the Saviour. He had seen and heard Jesus, but had been turned away from Him by the priests and rulers. Seeking to stifle conviction, he had plunged into sin, until he was arrested and condemned.HLv 500.1
On the cross he saw the great religionists ridicule Jesus. He heard the upbraiding speech taken up by his companion in guilt: “If Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us.” Among the passersby he heard many repeating Jesus’ words, and telling of His works. The conviction came back that this was the Christ. Turning to his fellow criminal, he said, “Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?” The dying thieves no longer had anything to fear from man. But on one of them pressed the conviction that there is a God to fear, a future to cause him to tremble. And now, his life history was about to close. “And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man hath done nothing amiss.”HLv 500.2
When condemned for his crime, the thief had become despairing, but strange, tender thoughts now sprang up. The Holy Spirit illuminated his mind, and little by little the chain of evidence joined together. In Jesus, mocked and hanging on the cross, he saw the Lamb of God. Hope mingled with anguish in his voice as the dying soul cast himself on a dying Saviour. “Lord, remember me when thou comest into Thy kingdom.”HLv 500.3
Quickly the answer came, soft and melodious the tone, full of love and power the words: Verily I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in paradise.1The comma in Luke 23:43 is often misplaced in English translations. No comma existed in the Greek text. With longing heart Jesus had listened for some expression of faith from His disciples. He had heard only the mournful words, “We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel.” How grateful then to the Saviour was the utterance of faith and love from the dying thief! While even the disciples doubted, the poor thief called Jesus “Lord.” No one acknowledged Him on the cross save the penitent thief, saved at the eleventh hour.HLv 501.1
The tone of the repentant man arrested the attention of bystanders. Those who had been quarreling over Christ’s garments stopped to listen and waited for the response from Christ’s dying lips.HLv 501.2
As He spoke the words of promise, the dark cloud that seemed to enshroud the cross was pierced by a living light. Christ in His humiliation was glorified. He who in all other eyes appeared conquered, was Conqueror. He was acknowledged as the Sin Bearer. They could strip from Him His raiment, but they could not rob Him of His power to forgive sins. It is His royal right to save all who come to God by Him!HLv 501.4
Christ’s position “in the midst” between the thieves was done by direction of the priests and rulers to indicate that He was the greatest criminal of the three. But as Jesus was placed “in the midst,” so His cross was placed in the midst of a dying world lying in sin. And the words of pardon spoken to the penitent thief kindled a light that will shine to earth’s remotest bounds. In His humiliation, Jesus as a prophet had addressed the daughters of Jerusalem; as priest and advocate He had pleaded with the Father to forgive His murderers; as Saviour He had forgiven the sins of the penitent thief.HLv 501.5
At the foot of the cross stood His mother, supported by John. She could not endure to remain away from her Son, and John, knowing that the end was near, had brought her again. Looking into her grief-stricken face, He said to her, “Woman, behold thy son!” then to John, “Behold, thy mother!” John understood and accepted the trust. From that hour he cared for Mary tenderly. The Saviour had no money with which to provide for His mother, but He provided that which she most needed—the tender sympathy of one who loved her because she loved Jesus. And John received a great blessing—she was a constant reminder of his beloved Master.HLv 502.1
For nearly thirty years Jesus by His daily toil had helped bear the burdens of the home. And now, even in His last agony, He provided for His sorrowing, widowed mother. Those who follow Christ will respect and provide for their parents. From the heart where His love is cherished, father and mother will never fail of receiving thoughtful care and tender sympathy. And now the Lord of glory was dying. All was oppressive gloom. Not the dread of death, not the pain of the cross, caused Christ’s agony. His suffering was from a sense of the malignity of sin. Christ saw how few would be willing to break from its power. Without help from God, humanity must perish, and He saw multitudes perishing within reach of help.HLv 502.2
Upon Christ as our substitute and surety was laid the iniquity of us all. The guilt of every descendant of Adam was pressing on His heart. All His life Christ had been publishing the good news of the Father’s pardoning love, but now with the terrible weight of guilt upon Him He could not see the Father’s reconciling face. This pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt.HLv 502.3
Satan with fierce temptations wrung the heart of Jesus. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror or tell Him of the Father’s acceptance. Christ felt the anguish the sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father’s wrath on Him as man’s substitute, that broke the heart of the Son of God.HLv 503.1
The hosts of heaven veiled their faces from the fearful sight. The sun refused to look on the awful scene. Its full, bright rays were illuminating the earth at midday, when suddenly it seemed to be blotted out. Complete darkness enveloped the cross. “There was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.” There was no natural cause for this darkness, which was as deep as midnight without moon or stars. It was a miraculous testimony given by God that the faith of after generations might be confirmed.HLv 503.2
In that thick darkness God’s presence was hidden. God and holy angels were beside the cross. The Father was with His Son. Yet His presence was not revealed. In that dreadful hour Christ was not to be comforted with the Father’s presence.HLv 503.3
In the thick darkness God veiled the last human agony of His Son. All who had seen Christ in His suffering had been convicted of His divinity. Through long hours of agony He had been gazed on by the jeering multitude. Now He was mercifully hidden by the mantle of God.HLv 503.4
A nameless terror held the throng gathered about the cross. Cursing and reviling ceased. Vivid lightnings occasionally flashed from the cloud and revealed the crucified Redeemer. Priests, rulers, executioners, the mob, all thought their time of retribution had come. Some whispered that Jesus would now come down from the cross.HLv 503.5
At the ninth hour the darkness lifted from the people, but still enveloped the Saviour. No eye could penetrate the deep gloom that enshrouded the suffering soul of Christ. Then “Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken Me?” Many voices exclaimed: The vengeance of heaven is upon Him because He claimed to be the Son of God! Many who believed on Him heard His despairing cry. Hope left them. If God had forsaken Jesus, in what could His followers trust?HLv 504.1
When the darkness lifted, Christ revived to a sense of physical suffering, and said, “I thirst.” One of the Roman soldiers, touched with pity, took a sponge and dipping it in vinegar, offered it to Him. But the priests mocked His agony. His words, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” they misinterpreted. They said, “This man calleth for Elijah.” The last opportunity to relieve His sufferings they refused. “Let be,” they said, “let us see whether Elias will come to save Him.”HLv 504.2
The spotless Son of God hung upon the cross, His flesh lacerated with stripes, His hands nailed to the wooden bars, His feet spiked to the tree, His royal head pierced by thorns. And all that He endured—the agony that racked His frame, and the unutterable anguish that filled His soul at the hiding of His Father’s face—speaks to each child of humanity, declaring, For you the Son of God consents to bear this burden of guilt; for you He spoils the domain of death; for you He opens the gates of Paradise; for you He offers Himself as a sacrifice—from love to you.HLv 504.3
Suddenly the gloom lifted from the cross. In trumpetlike tones that seemed to resound throughout creation, Jesus cried, “It is finished.” “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” A light encircled the cross, and the face of the Saviour shone with a glory like the sun. He then bowed His head and died.HLv 504.4
Amid the awful darkness, Christ had drained the dregs in the cup of human woe. In those dreadful hours He had relied on the evidence of His Father’s acceptance heretofore given Him. Acquainted with the character of His Father, by faith He rested in Him whom it had ever been His joy to obey. And as He committed Himself to God, the sense of the loss of His Father’s favor was withdrawn. By faith, Christ was victor.HLv 505.1
Again darkness settled on the earth, and there was a violent earthquake. Wild confusion ensued. In the surrounding mountains, rocks were rent asunder, and went crashing into the plains. Sepulchers were broken open, and the dead were cast out. Priests, soldiers, executioners, and people, lay prostrate on the ground.HLv 505.2
When the loud cry, “It is finished,” came from the lips of Christ, it was the hour of the evening sacrifice. The lamb representing Christ had been brought to be slain. The priest stood with lifted knife, the people looking on. But the earth trembled, for the Lord Himself drew near. With a rending noise the inner veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom by an unseen hand, throwing open to the gaze of the multitude a place once filled with the presence of God. The most holy place of the earthly sanctuary was no longer sacred.From Heaven With Love
One Crucified Thief Believes
HLv 501.3
I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise. Christ did not promise that the thief should be with Him in Paradise that day. He Himself did not go that day to Paradise. He slept in the tomb, and on the morning of the resurrection He said, “I am not yet ascended to My Father.” John 20:17. But on the day of apparent defeat the promise was given. “Today,” while dying on the cross as a malefactor, Christ assured the sinner, “You will be with Me in Paradise.”From Heaven With Love
Christ Dies Triumphant
HLv 505.3
All was terror and confusion. The priest was about to slay the victim; but the knife dropped from his nerveless hand, and the lamb escaped. Type had met antitype. The great sacrifice had been made. A new and living way was prepared for all. Henceforth the Saviour was to officiate as priest and advocate in the heaven of heavens. “By His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” Hebrews 9:12.Matthew 27:32
Sons and Daughters of God
The Cross That Simon Bore, August 30
SD 249.1
And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. Matthew 27:32.Matthew 27:35-44
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 52, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 52, 1897, par. 6
They turn to the record that has been made of that which many eyes saw, of which many lips testified, and which many pens recorded upon parchment. These were copied one from another, for the New Testament was not yet written. Their manuscripts declared the marked events that had transpired. Eye witnesses behold the humiliation and crucifixion of Christ. They saw seated beneath the cross, coarse, wicked men, who were quarreling for His garments, casting lots for the seamless coat that could not be ripped in pieces, “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there.” [Matthew 27:35, 36.]12LtMs, Ms 52, 1897, par. 7
These eye witnesses beheld Him crucified between two thieves. Over His head was placed the inscription, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews.” [Verse 37.] There they saw the idle, wicked spectators, as they passed by the cross upon which hung the royal, suffering king, look up to Jesus, and wagging their heads say with loud coarse voice, 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. They heard the words that Satan spoke, for the arch enemy with his attending angels was in human form, and the words spoken in derision were of his inspiration, voiced by wicked, desperate, religious zealots.12LtMs, Ms 52, 1897, par. 8
The taunt of the multitude, “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,” was used as the strongest evidence against Him. [Verse 40.] The Jews had come to Him with the question, “What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?” And Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews replied, “Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?” [John 2:18-20.] His words were perverted. Jesus had not said, “I will destroy this temple,” but, referring to His body, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it up in three days.” It was Satan and those connected with him, and imbued with his spirit, who were doing the destroying.12LtMs, Ms 52, 1897, par. 9
“Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 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. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.” [Matthew 27:41-44.] The angels would have answered that coarse, satanic taunt thrown at the Son of God, but they were not permitted to do this.12LtMs, Ms 52, 1897, par. 15
The taunting words of mockery rose up to heaven from the religious teachers of the people. They were the ones who instigated the mixed multitude to ask for the release of Barabbas, and to cry out against Christ, “Crucify him; crucify him.” [Luke 23:21.] “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying, 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.” [Matthew 27:39, 40.] Who was it that spake these words? Who was it said, “If thou be the Son of God, make these stones bread;” “If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from the pinnacle of the temple;” “If thou wilt worship me, all shall be thine?” [Matthew 4:3, 6; Luke 4:7.] It was the covering cherub, once the exalted angel in the heavenly Courts.12LtMs, Ms 52, 1897, par. 20
“And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man hath done nothing amiss.” [Verse 41.] There is no question now, no doubts, no reproaches. As the malefactor became convicted of his past transgressions and guilt, he is also convinced that the central cross which bears the inscription, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews,” held the Son of God. [Matthew 27:37.] All was plain to his mind. Jesus had done no sin; yet He was suffering as a criminal, persecuted even unto death. Then he called to mind reports that he had heard of Jesus of Nazareth, how He had healed the sick and those suffering under grievous maladies. He had heard that He had pardoned transgression and sin. And turning his dying eyes upon the Sin-bearer as He is hanging upon the cross, the malefactor said, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” [Luke 23:42.]Matthew 27:35-56
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)
Lt 230, 1907
22LtMs, Lt 230, 1907, par. 16
“Now when the centurion, and they that were with Him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they greatly feared, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. And many women beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him; among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.” [Matthew 27:35, 37-56.]Matthew 27:39
Manuscript Releases, vol. 9 [Nos. 664-770]
MR No. 738—Christ’s Human Nature in Gethsemane
9MR 266.3
With all his power, Satan pressed his temptations upon Christ, seeking to make Him turn aside from offering Himself as an oblation to God. But Christ looked upon a world of woe, and knew that if He failed, it would be lost. Shall He turn aside? No, no. An angel from heaven strengthened Him to firmly put aside the temptation, the intense desire to avoid drinking the cup. And as the wail of a lost world came up before Him, He cried in a voice full of the deepest decision, “Nevertheless, not My will, but Thine be done” (Matthew 27:39).—Letter 106, 1896, pp. 7-9. (To Brother W, June 26, 1896.)Matthew 27:39-43
Manuscript Releases, vol. 18 [Nos. 1301-1359]
MR No. 1310—Christ and the Law
18MR 70.2
Behold the spectators who reviled Christ while He hung on the cross. Were they the abandoned class, the heathen who knew not God? “And they that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads, and saying, 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. Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, 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” [Matthew 27:39-43].Manuscript Releases, vol. 11 [Nos. 851-920]
MR No. 906—An Appeal for Acceptance of the Message of Christ’s Righteousness
11MR 291.2
Many who refuse the message which the Lord sends them are seeking to find pegs on which to hang doubts, to find some excuse for rejecting the light of heaven. In the face of clear evidence, they say as did the Jews, “Show us a miracle, and we will believe. If these messengers have the truth, why do they not heal the sick?” These objections recall to mind what was said concerning Christ: [John 7:3-5 and Matthew 27:39-43 quoted.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)
Lt 4, 1889
6LtMs, Lt 4, 1889, par. 60
Many who refuse the message which the Lord sends them are seeking to find pegs on which to hang doubts, to find some excuse for rejecting the light of heaven. In the face of clear evidence, they say, as did the Jews, “Show us a miracle, and we will believe. If these messengers have the truth, why do they not heal the sick?” These objections recall to mind what was said concerning Christ. “His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, show thyself to the world. For neither did His brethren believe in him.” [John 7:3-5.] “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying, ‘Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildeth it in three days, Save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.’ Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 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.” [Matthew 27:39-43.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 106, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 106, 1897, par. 2
Behold the spectators who reviled Christ while He hung on the cross. Were they the abandoned class, the heathen, who knew not God? “And they that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads, and saying, 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. Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others, himself He cannot save. If he be the king of Israel, let him 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.” [Matthew 27:39-43.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 115, 1903
18LtMs, Lt 115, 1903, par. 16
“And they that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads, and saying, 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. Likewise also the chief priests, mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, 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.” [Matthew 27:39-43.] “And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming to Him, and offering Him vinegar, and saying, If thou be the King of the Jews, save Thyself. ... And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If Thou be the Christ, save Thyself and us.” [Luke 23:36, 37, 39.]Matthew 27:39-44
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Ms 153, 1898
13LtMs, Ms 153, 1898, par. 22
Men whom God had created, and who were dependent upon Him for every moment of their lives, who claimed to be the children of Abraham, worked out the wrath of Satan upon the innocent Son of the infinite God. While Christ was bearing the heavy guilt incurred by transgression of the law, while in the very act of bearing our sins, of carrying our sorrows, He was mocked. By whom? By the chief priests and rulers. “And they that passed by him, reviled him, wagging their heads, and saying, 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. Likewise also the chief priests and elders, mocking Him with the scribes and elders said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him 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. The thieves also, which were crucified with him cast the same in his teeth.” [Matthew 27:39-44.]Matthew 27:39-46
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Ms 87, 1903
18LtMs, Ms 87, 1903, par. 8
As Christ hung upon the cross, He was made the object of scorn and derision. “They that passed by reviled Him, wagging their heads, and saying, 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. Likewise also the chief priests, mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, 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.” [Matthew 27:39-43.] “And the soldiers also mocked Him, coming to Him, and offering Him vinegar, and saying, If Thou be the King of the Jews, save Thyself.” “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If Thou be the Christ, save Thyself and us.” [Luke 23:36, 37, 39.]18LtMs, Ms 87, 1903, par. 9
Christ felt the anguish which the impenitent sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race. He could not see the Father’s reconciling face. The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Saviour in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be understood by man. In His agony He cried, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” [Matthew 27:46.]Matthew 27:40
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)
Lt 132, 1910
25LtMs, Lt 132, 1910, par. 12
“If Thou be the Son of God,” they said, “come down from the cross.” [Matthew 27:40.] “Let Him save Himself, if He be Christ, the chosen of God.” [Luke 23:35.] In the wilderness of temptation, Satan had declared, “If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” “If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down” from the pinnacle of the temple. [Matthew 4:3, 6.] And Satan with his angels, in human form, was present at the cross. The archfiend and his hosts were co-operating with the priests and rulers. The teachers of the people had stimulated the ignorant mob to pronounce judgment against One upon whom many of them had never looked until urged to bear testimony against Him. Priests, rulers, Pharisees, and the hardened rabble were confederated together in a satanic frenzy. Religious rulers united with Satan and his angels. They were doing his bidding.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)
Lt 12, 1911
25LtMs, Lt 12, 1911, par. 14
“If Thou be the Son of God,” they said, “come down from the cross.” [Matthew 27:40.] “Let Him save Himself, if He be Christ, the chosen of God.” [Luke 23:35.] In the wilderness of temptation, Satan had declared, “If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” “If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down” from the pinnacle of the temple. [Matthew 4:3, 6.] And Satan with his angels, in human form, was present at the cross. The archfiend and his hosts were co-operating with the priests and rulers. The teachers of the people had stimulated the ignorant mob to pronounce judgment against One upon whom many of them had never looked until urged to bear testimony against Him. Priests, rulers, Pharisees, and the hardened rabble were confederated together in a satanic frenzy. Religious rulers united with Satan and his angels. They were doing his bidding.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 29, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 29, 1899, par. 7
Christ’s heart was pierced by a far sharper pain than that caused by the nails driven into His hands and feet. Sweat drops of agony stand upon His brow, while from the murderers are heard the words, “If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” [Matthew 27:40.] The Saviour is about to speak. What will He say? From His pale, quivering lips come the words, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” [Luke 23:34.] What an exhibition of divine love! These words are an expression of God’s love to man. Thus Christ proclaimed the message of mercy, even to His murderers. The good news of pardon was proclaimed upon the cross. There is mercy for all. The most hardened sinner, if he repents and believes in Jesus, will be forgiven.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)
Ms 180, 1907
22LtMs, Ms 180, 1907, par. 23
I spoke of Christ’s hanging upon the cross. He said to the thief, “I say unto you today,”—while hanging right there helpless and a criminal—“I say unto thee today, thou shalt be with me in paradise.” [Luke 23:43.] That was the death knell of Satan, to think that he ever should obtain the victory. He had set men to mocking Christ. He had set even the Jews to mock Christ and to oppose Him, “You that will destroy—.” [Matthew 27:40.] That insult and reproach, what did it do? Christ bore it right upon the cross; He was carrying it out for you and me. What cross are you bearing? What crosses are you bearing here in San Diego? Every one, we want to be a living witness for Christ. Every one of us, we want to arouse from our stupidity and backsliding.Matthew 27:40-42
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Ms 188, 1903
18LtMs, Ms 188, 1903, par. 45
I have been an invalid all my life, and dependent upon the power and the healing grace of God to be with me in order to do my work, and He never has failed me; and when my time comes that I shall cease my labor here, let me rest in the grave a little while, till the Master comes. And He is coming—not a babe in Bethlehem; not as He rode into Jerusalem, when they cast their garments before Him; not to be tried in the judgment hall by those that were on the side of Satan; not to behold Him upon the cross, and priests and rulers nodding their heads, “If you be the Christ, come down, come down and save yourself, and we will believe on you.” [See Matthew 27:40, 42.] But it was a world that He was dying for. And He carried it through, bearing the sins of every sinner in our world, that they could have the opportunity of being saved, if they would.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)
Ms 97, 1906
21LtMs, Ms 97, 1906, par. 56
Almost the last view that John had seen of Christ was when He was hanging in human agony upon the cross, and the priests and rulers who had caused His death were mocking Him: “If Thou be the Christ, come down from the cross, and we will believe on Thee.” “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.” [Matthew 27:40, 42.] These words were true. But in His very death He was making provision to save you and me. He suffered the death penalty for us, that we may take hold of His life and have a life that measures with the life of God.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)
Ms 140, 1908
23LtMs, Ms 140, 1908, par. 45
Verses 11-13. “more than the sons of men.” [Verse 14.] Behold Him hanging on the cross with the nails driven through His hands and His feet, and there were His opposers mocking Him, “O, thou that couldest destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down: come down, and we will believe on thee.” [Matthew 27:40, 42.] This is what they were saying, mocking and deriding. But there is a sound. What is it? It is coming from a soul in agony. It is one that has been crucified upon the cross close by Christ, and his fellow that was by his side was mocking Christ, and he rebuked him. Said he, “We deserve this, but the one hanging on the cross [beside us] does not deserve it.” And the one hanging on the cross turned to Christ and said, “Lord, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom.” And what did He say? “Verily, I say unto thee today,” right while His hands are stretched upon the cross, and He dying in human agony, “verily I say unto thee today, thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.” [Luke 23:40-43.] Now here was the very promise of our Saviour, and the thief had that comfort while he was dying. He believed in Christ. He believed Him to be Christ; he received Him as Christ.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)
Lt 232, 1908
23LtMs, Lt 232, 1908, par. 11
On the cross He was taunted with the words, “Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it again in three days, come down from the cross, and we will believe in Thee.” [Matthew 27:40, 42.] Of the two thieves who were crucified with Him, one railed on Him. But the other reproved his companion and said to Christ, “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.” And the Saviour responded to his request, “Verily, I say unto thee today, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.” [Luke 23:42, 43.] Christ did not say to the thief that he would be that day in Paradise, but, “Today, while I am hanging in agony on the cross, I say unto thee, Thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.” The satanic agencies who were reviling the Saviour heard His words to the repentant thief, and they trembled as they heard.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 24 (1909)
Ms 17, 1909
24LtMs, Ms 17, 1909, par. 24
Take these words home with you, and carry them out in your lives. If you are slighted and rejected, remember that Christ was also rejected. He was crucified by wicked hands; and while He hung in suffering upon the cross, those who stood about Him mocked Him, saying, “Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it again in three days, come down from the cross; and we will believe.” [Matthew 27:40, 42.] But while the professedly religious ones were uttering words of scorn and derision, a poor thief who hung by Christ’s side expressed his faith in Him as the Son of God. “Lord,” he said, “remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.” [Luke 23:42.]Matthew 27:40-43
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Lt 102, 1905
20LtMs, Lt 102, 1905, par. 14
As He hung upon the cross His murderers and they that passed by reviled Him. “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.” “Likewise the chief priests, mocking Him with the scribes and Pharisees, said, He saved others; Himself He cannot save.” [Matthew 27:40-42.]20LtMs, Lt 102, 1905, par. 15
O how His mother and His disciples hoped that He would manifest His mighty power and silence His revilers by coming down from the shameful cross! They were pained by the unfeeling taunts of the spiritually ignorant revilers. “Let Him come down from the cross, and we will believe on Him.” “He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him; for He said, I am the Son of God.” [Verses 42, 43.] Christ prayed to His Father, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment and cast lots. And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided Him, saying, He saved others; let Him save Himself, if He be the Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked Him, offering Him vinegar to drink and saying, If Thou be the king of the Jews save Thyself.” [Luke 23:34-37.]Matthew 27:40-46
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Lt 125, 1902
17LtMs, Lt 125, 1902, par. 8
Christ had been taken by wicked hands and crucified. He who was hurried to the place where criminals were executed was the Son of God, innocent and sinless, bearing the sin of the world, that by His death man might be granted another trial. All heaven saw the sacrifice He made and heard the taunts of the priests and rulers, who, as He hung on the cross, passed by, wagging their heads, and saying, “Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it again 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.” [Matthew 27:40, 42, 43.]17LtMs, Lt 125, 1902, par. 10
The sun veiled its face before the shameful sight. From the sixth to the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Matthew 27:46.] He bore the strokes of God. He descended to the lowest depth of humiliation, bearing the sins of the guilty. By the death of the Prince of heaven, a way was opened whereby the race might gain the victory over sin, if they would contend for it in God’s appointed way.Testimony Treasures, vol. 1
On the Cross
1TT 227.1
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. Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, 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.” Matthew 27:40-43.1TT 228.1
Oh, was there ever suffering and sorrow like that endured by the dying Saviour! It was the sense of His Father’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 left 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?” Matthew 27:46.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 45, 1892
7LtMs, Ms 45, 1892, par. 31
He is nailed to the cross and hangs between the heavens and the earth. His sorrowing disciples have followed Him a long way off, behind the murderous throng, but their hearts are bursting with grief as their beloved Teacher suffers as the lowest of criminals. Close to the cross are the priests and elders, mocking and jeering and saying, “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.” “Likewise also the chief priests mocking him with the scribes and elders said, He saved others: himself he cannot save; If he be the king of the 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.” [Matthew 27:40-43.]7LtMs, Ms 45, 1892, par. 32
Not one word did Jesus answer to all this. Even while the nails were being driven through His hands and His feet and the sweat drops of agony were thick upon His brow, He breathed a prayer of pardoning love for His murderers, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” [Luke 23:34.] Was there ever suffering and sorrow like that which was borne by our dying Saviour! But it was not physical suffering alone, it was the thought that God’s love was withdrawn that made His cup so bitter. It was not pain of body that so quickly ended the life of Christ upon the cross. It was the crushing weight of the sins of the world that broke His heart. The Father’s glory, the Father’s love, had left Him, and it was this that forced from His lips the anguished cry, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Matthew 27:46.]7LtMs, Ms 45, 1892, par. 34
Such were the thoughts that Satan pressed upon the Son of God. There were hosts of evil angels thronging about the cross, and the holy angels were not permitted to break their ranks and put to flight the reviling foe. Jesus could not see through the portals of the tomb. Bright hope did not present to Him the fact that He would come forth from the grave, a victor over death, or tell Him that His Father accepted of His sacrifice. All that He felt during this time of darkness was that the sins of the world were laid upon Him, and that their penalty, death, might forever shut Him away from the face of His Father. The temptation to think that His Father had forever left Him caused that fearful cry from the cross, “My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?” [Verse 46.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 205, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 205, 1899, par. 5
The sorrowing disciples follow Christ at a distance behind the murderous throng. When they come to Calvary, and see their loved Teacher nailed to the cross, their hearts almost burst with anguish that he should suffer thus. Around the cross stand the blind, bigoted faithless priests and elders, taunting, mocking, jeering. “Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it again in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests, mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 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.” [Matthew 27:40-43.] But a word does Jesus answer to all this. While the nails are being driven into his hands, and the sweat drops of agony are forced from his brow, from the pale lips of the innocent Sufferer a prayer of pardoning love is breathed for his murderers. “Father, forgive them,” he prays; “for they know not what they do.” [Luke 23:34.]14LtMs, Ms 205, 1899, par. 6
Around the cross stand a company of spectators, some of whom question in wonder, What evil has this man done? But no one can answer; for there is nothing to tell. Some are weeping; for their hearts are full of sympathy. Mary Magdalene is there supporting the mother of Jesus, who has fainted under her grief. As Simeon predicted, the sword has pierced her soul. In the last agony of failing nature, Jesus looked upon the anguished face of his mother, and in a feeble voiced addresses his disciple John, “Son, behold thy mother.” Then to his mother he said, “Behold thy son.” [John 19:26, 27.] This filial duty accomplished, the Saviour summons his energies for the last conflict. He has borne mockery and abuse at the hands of men, but now he is to feel a greater woe, a more terrible agony. He must feel his Father’s frown because of sin. It was this that broke his heart, and wrenched from his lips the bitter cry, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Matthew 27:46.]Matthew 27:41-54
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 103, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 103, 1897, par. 10
Among the revilers about the cross, the priests and rulers were the boldest and most presumptuous in blaspheming the Saviour. They were acting out the inspiration of their leader. Who was he? Christ said to them, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.” [John 8:44.] “Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.” [Matthew 27:41, 42.]12LtMs, Ms 103, 1897, par. 13
These sayings excited the mirth of the bystanders. Awful and terrible will be the retribution of those who, while claiming to be the repositories of sacred truth, presented the world’s Redeemer for a laughing stock and a reproach. And what a testimony were these leaders bearing! “He trusted in God.” [Matthew 27:43.] Lips never uttered a truer sentiment. But had they known the influence these words were to have on the minds of many who had come up to Jerusalem to celebrate the passover, they would never have spoken them, even in derision. They knew not that all their words were making impressions which all their philosophy and traditions and customs could never efface.12LtMs, Ms 103, 1897, par. 18
Simon heard the centurions and others repeat the words, “Surely this was the Son of God.” [Matthew 27:54.] All these proofs Simon witnessed, and he bore his testimony concerning them after the death of Christ. When the executioner came to Christ and found Him already dead, a soldier pierced His side, and blood and water flowed forth. Thus was given unmistakable evidence of the death of Christ, making the truth if His resurrection a certainty.Matthew 27:42
A Call To Stand Apart
Chapter 11—Grand Resurrection
CSA 41.7
Christ came forth from the tomb glorified, and the Roman guard beheld Him. Their eyes were riveted upon the face of Him whom they had so recently mocked and derided. In this glorified Being they beheld the prisoner whom they had seen in the judgment hall, the One for whom they had plaited a crown of thorns. This was the One who had stood unresisting before Pilate and Herod, His form lacerated by the cruel scourge. This was He who had been nailed to the cross, at whom the priests and rulers, full of self-satisfaction, had wagged their heads, saying, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.” Matthew 27:42. 65The Desire of Ages, 779, 780.The Upward Look
The Great Exemplar, April 30
UL 134.3
Christ was the Lord of heaven and earth, yet for our sake He became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. He was made in the likeness of God, yet He humbled Himself, and took upon Him the form of a servant, that He might save us. He gave His life for our redemption. Will we accept the sacrifice? The only begotten Son of God was numbered with the transgressors, that human beings might not perish, but have everlasting life. Life eternal will be their inheritance, if they will consent to humble their proud heart and become partakers of His suffering. He patiently endured shame and mockery and derision that He might save every sinful human being who would lay hold of Him by living faith. While He hung on the cross, giving His life for our redemption, His murderers mocked Him, saying, “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” (Matthew 27:42).... He could have refused thus to die, but He was suffering that the world through Him might be redeemed from Satan’s claim and authority. Through His death all who believe in Him may have eternal life....Ye Shall Receive Power
Witnesses for the Cross, June 5
YRP 165.2
After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the disciples, clothed with the divine panoply, went forth as witnesses to tell the wonderful story of the manger and the cross. They were humble men, but they went forth with the truth. After the death of their Lord, they were a helpless, disappointed, discouraged company—as sheep without a shepherd: but now they go forth as witnesses for the truth, with no weapons but the Word and Spirit of God, to triumph over all opposition. Their Saviour had been rejected and condemned and nailed to the ignominious cross. The Jewish priests and rulers had declared in scorn, “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” (Matthew 27:42).Ye Shall Receive Power
The Disciples, September 23
YRP 275.2
After the crucifixion of Christ, the disciples were a helpless, discouraged company—as sheep without a shepherd. Their Master had been rejected, condemned, and nailed to the ignominious cross. Scornfully the Jewish priests and rulers had declared: “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” (Matthew 27:42).From Here to Forever
The King of Kings Appears
HF 389.3
With awful distinctness priests and rulers recall the events of Calvary, how, wagging their heads in satanic exultation, they exclaimed, “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” Matthew 27:42. Louder than the shout, “Crucify him, crucify him!” which rang through Jerusalem, swells the despairing wail, “He is the Son of God!” They seek to flee from the presence of the King of kings.The Great Hope (Condensed)
The King of Kings Appears
GrH_c 46.4
With awful distinctness priests and rulers recall the events of Calvary, how, wagging their heads in satanic exultation, they exclaimed, “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” Matthew 27:42. Louder than the shout, “Crucify him, crucify him!” which rang through Jerusalem, swells the despairing wail, “He is the Son of God!” They seek to flee from the presence of the King of kings.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Lt 38, 1896
11LtMs, Lt 38, 1896, par. 17
After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the disciples, clothed with the divine panoply, went forth as witnesses to tell the wonderful story of the manger and the cross. They were humble men, but they went forth with the truth. After the death of the Lord, they were a helpless, disappointed, discouraged company—as sheep without a shepherd; but now they go forth as witnesses for the truth, with no weapons but the Word and Spirit of God, to triumph over all opposition. Their Saviour had been rejected and condemned and nailed to the ignominious cross. The Jewish priests and rulers had declared in scorn, “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.” [Matthew 27:42.] But that cross, that instrument of shame and torture, brought hope and salvation to the world. The believers rallied; there hopelessness and conscious helplessness had left them. They were transformed in character, and united in the bonds of Christian love. Although without wealth, though counted by the world as mere ignorant fishermen, they were made by the Holy Spirit witnesses for Christ. Without earthly honor or recognition, they were heroes of faith. From their lips came words of divine eloquence and power that shook the world.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 84a, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 84a, 1897, par. 1
“He saved others, himself he cannot save.” [Matthew 27:42.] It is because Christ would not save Himself that the sinner has any hope of pardon or favor with God. If, in His undertaking to save the sinner, Christ had failed or become discouraged, the last hope of every son and daughter of Adam would have been at an end. The entire life of Christ was one of self-denial and self-sacrifice; and the reason that there are so few stalwart Christians is because of their self-indulgence and self-pleasing in the place of self-denial and self-sacrifice.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 14, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 14, 1897, par. 9
None of the followers of Christ are to despond, although, for the faithful discharge of their duty they may incur the unbelief, displeasure, and disaffection of those who ought to know better. Our Redeemer was never appreciated by the very people that He, by all His labor, was trying to bless and save. He was brought into abasement by the very ones He had pitied and had compassion upon, and tried to save. He stood at the bar of an unjust judge. He was condemned by the charges of poor, deceived, deluded men, who were following their own way, but supposing themselves to be highly exalted by the false charges they brought against our Redeemer. He was misinterpreted, misstated, falsified, and was numbered among the most flagrant malefactors who beheld His agonizing death. With a voice of triumph and exultation, they cried, “Come down from the cross, and we will believe on thee. He saved others; himself he cannot save.” [Matthew 27:42.]In Heavenly Places
Glory Indescribable, December 17
HP 358.3
Christ is now acknowledged as the King of Glory. “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Matthew 21:9). The question of His divinity is forever settled. Where are those who held the Saviour bound at Pilate’s bar, who smote Him in the face, who scourged Him, who drove the nails through His hands and feet? those who mocked Him, saying, “He saved others; himself he cannot save ...” (Matthew 27:42)? Where is the puny arm that will be lifted against Him now? The scene is changed. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Christ, Lord of heaven and earth....Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 91, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 91, 1897, par. 1
For three hours Christ hung upon the cross, looked upon by thousands. Thousands heard and saw the reviling of the priests and rulers; they heard the challenge, “Come down from the cross, and we will believe in thee,” and the taunt, “He saved others; himself he cannot save.” [Matthew 27:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)
Ms 153, 1899
14LtMs, Ms 153, 1899, par. 40
Looking into the future Christ saw the return that would be made for His love. He saw Himself condemned to suffer the punishment only inflicted on those most deeply sunked in crime. He saw Himself in His humiliation hanging on the cross, while priests and rulers looked on with exultation, saying in mockery, “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.” [Matthew 27:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)
Lt 131, 1900
15LtMs, Lt 131, 1900, par. 17
When sinners are compelled to look upon Him who clothed His divinity in the garb of humanity and who still wears that garb, their confusion is indescribable. They remember how His love was slighted and His compassion abused. They think of how Barabbas, a murderer and a robber, was chosen in His stead; how Jesus was crowned with thorns, and scourged and crucified; how in the hours of His agony on the cross the priests and rulers taunted Him saying, “Let him come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He saved others; himself he cannot save.” [Matthew 27:42.] All the insult and despite offered to Christ, all the suffering caused to His disciples, will be as fresh in their recollection as when the satanic deeds were done. The voice which they heard so often in entreaty and persuasion will again sound in their ears. Every tone of gracious solicitude will vibrate as distinctly in their ears as when the Saviour spoke in the synagogues or on the street.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Lt 16, 1901
16LtMs, Lt 16, 1901, par. 7
So deeply was Paul impressed with the Saviour’s condescension that he traces His earthly history from stage to stage, as if the immensity of the sacrifice were too great to be taken in all at once by the human mind. Step by step he leads us downward until the lowest depths of humiliation are reached, and we see the Saviour hanging on the cross, while the priests and rulers say tauntingly, “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.” [Matthew 27:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)
Lt 71, 1901
16LtMs, Lt 71, 1901, par. 7
God gives me this message for you—Christ pleased not Himself; He endured the cross, despising the shame, and He poured out His soul unto death that you might be saved. He took upon His divine soul the guilt of our sin. Shall all this be in vain in your behalf? As He hung on the cross, the taunting words were thrown at Him; “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.” [Matthew 27:42.] But He would not save Himself. He died, that in dying all who would believe in Him might come into possession of that life which measures with the life of God. Yes; He is the life of the world. In sympathy and compassion He became sin for all the world, making it possible for as many as believe in Him to become sons of God. What compassion is this? Who can estimate it? Who can measure such love?Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Lt 133, 1905
20LtMs, Lt 133, 1905, par. 6
Christ was the Lord of heaven and earth, yet for our sake He became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. He was made in the likeness of God, yet He humbled Himself and took upon Him the form of a servant, that He might save us. He gave His life for our redemption. Will we accept the sacrifice? The only begotten Son of God was numbered with the transgressors, that human beings might not perish, but have everlasting life. Life eternal will be their inheritance if they will consent to humble their proud hearts and become partakers of His suffering. He patiently endured shame and mockery and derision that He might save every sinful human being who would lay hold of Him by living faith. While He hung on the cross, giving His life for our redemption, His murderers mocked Him, saying, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the Christ, let Him come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.” [Matthew 27:42.] He could have come down from the cross; He could have refused thus to die; but He was suffering that the world through Him might be redeemed from Satan’s claim and authority. Through His death all who believe in Him may have eternal life.Manuscript Releases, vol. 12 [Nos. 921-999]
MR No. 999—Christ as Sacrifice and High Priest
12MR 394.2
Christ was one with the Father. He loved His church, and gave Himself for it. “Therefore doth My Father love Me,” He said to the cavilling scribes and Pharisees, “because I lay down My life, that I might take it again” [John 10:17]. “He saved others; Himself He cannot save” [Matthew 27:42], was the mocking taunt hurled at Him during the agonies of His death on the cross. At any moment He could have saved Himself, and come down from the cross, but had He done this, the world would have been given over to the control of the great apostate.12MR 411.5
All heaven heard the challenge, “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” [Matthew 27:42]. Never in outward appearance could humanity descend lower than this. But Satan saw that his disguise was torn away, that the character he had tried to fasten on Christ was fastened on himself. It was as if he had the second time fallen from heaven. He had acted out his own attributes. After the crucifixion, he saw that he had over reached himself. The charges he had made against Christ were made against God Himself.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)
Lt 86, 1907
22LtMs, Lt 86, 1907, par. 5
Christ had been the leader of ancient Israel, guiding them by a cloud in the day, that light and heat should not oppress them, and at night by a cloud lighted by the brightness of His presence. But when “He came unto His own, His own received Him not.” [John 1:11.] They were absorbed in their study of forms and symbols and were walking in the ways of their own choosing. They would not be reformed by the messages from heaven, nor heed the counsel and admonitions of God. They crucified the Lord of glory, taunting Him as He hung dying upon the cross, “Let Him come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.” “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.” [Matthew 27:42.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)
Ms 99a, 1908
23LtMs, Ms 99a, 1908, par. 11
The priests and rulers heard Christ’s words, and they did not then feel as they had when they declared, “Let Him come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him.” [Matthew 27:42.] What if Christ had come down from the cross! What if He had refused to drink the bitter cup that was given Him! They laid the body of the Saviour in Joseph’s sepulcher and set a watch that none should steal Him away. Christ rested on the Sabbath day in the tomb. But on the morning of the third day, the Roman watch beholds a light stream from heaven and the angel of God descend. The mighty angel came to the tomb where the Son of God lay, and rolling away the stone, bade the Son of God to come forth. The Roman guard see Jesus come forth to life, and hear Him proclaim over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, “I am the resurrection and the life.” [John 11:25.]The Acts of the Apostles
Chapter 3—The Great Commission
AA 25.1
After the death of Christ the disciples were well-nigh overcome by discouragement. Their Master had been rejected, condemned, and crucified. The priests and rulers had declared scornfully, “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.” Matthew 27:42. The sun of the disciples’ hope had set, and night settled down upon their hearts. Often they repeated the words, “We trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel.” Luke 24:21. Lonely and sick at heart, they remembered His words, “If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” Luke 23:31.The Great Controversy
Chapter 39—The Time of Trouble
GC 630.1
Yet to human sight it will appear that the people of God must soon seal their testimony with their blood as did the martyrs before them. They themselves begin to fear that the Lord has left them to fall by the hand of their enemies. It is a time of fearful agony. Day and night they cry unto God for deliverance. The wicked exult, and the jeering cry is heard: “Where now is your faith? Why does not God deliver you out of our hands if you are indeed His people?” But the waiting ones remember Jesus dying upon Calvary’s cross and the chief priests and rulers shouting in mockery: “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.” Matthew 27:42. Like Jacob, all are wrestling with God. Their countenances express their internal struggle. Paleness sits upon every face. Yet they cease not their earnest intercession.The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)
Chapter 39—“The Time of Trouble”
GC88 630.1
Yet to human sight it will appear that the people of God must soon seal their testimony with their blood, as did the martyrs before them. They themselves begin to fear that the Lord has left them to fall by the hand of their enemies. It is a time of fearful agony. Day and night they cry unto God for deliverance. The wicked exult, and the jeering cry is heard. “Where now is your faith? Why does not God deliver you out of our hands if you are indeed his people?” But the waiting ones remember Jesus dying upon Calvary’s cross, and the chief priests and rulers shouting in mockery, “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.” [Matthew 27:42.] Like Jacob, all are wrestling with God. Their countenances express their internal struggle. Paleness sits upon every face. Yet they cease not their earnest intercession.The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4
Chapter 34—The Time of Trouble
4SP 446.2
Yet to human sight it will appear that the people of God must soon seal their testimony with their blood, as did the martyrs before them. They themselves begin to fear that the Lord has left them to fall by the hand of their enemies. It is a time of fearful agony. Day and night they cry unto God for deliverance. The wicked exult, and the jeering cry is heard, “Where now is your faith? Why does not God deliver you out of our hands if you are indeed his people?” But the waiting ones remember Jesus dying upon Calvary’s cross, and the chief priests and rulers shouting in mockery, “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.” [Matthew 27:42.] Like Jacob, all are wrestling with God. Their countenances express their internal struggle. Paleness sits upon every face. Yet they cease not their earnest intercession.Matthew 27:42-43
Heaven
Chapter 5—Christ’s Second Coming
Hvn 46.4
With awful distinctness do priests and rulers recall the events of Calvary. With shuddering horror they remember how, wagging their heads in Satanic exultation, they exclaimed, “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.” [Matthew 27:42, 43.] ...Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 41, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 41, 1898, par. 8
“Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the Lord? Let it come now.” [Verse 15.] Taunts such as these have always been made, and will continue to be made. Those who make them are inspired by the same spirit that led the priests to taunt Christ as He hung upon the cross, saying, “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.” [Matthew 27:42, 43.] There hung the world’s Redeemer in His dying agony, put to open shame by His own people. What power was working on the minds of these teachers and leaders?Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)
Lt 90, 1898
13LtMs, Lt 90, 1898, par. 29
Christ is now acknowledged as the King of Glory. “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.” [Matthew 23:39.] The question of His divinity is forever settled. Where are those who held the Saviour bound at Pilate’s bar, who smote Him in the face, who scourged Him, who drove the nails through His hands and feet; those who mocked Him, saying, “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”? [Matthew 27:42, 43.] Where is the puny arm that will be lifted against Him now? The scene is changed. “At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Christ, Lord of heaven and earth, to the glory of God the Father.” [Philippians 2:10, 11.] The angels of heaven bow in adoration before him. His enemies discern the mistake they have made, and every tongue confesses His divinity.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)
Lt 8, 1907
22LtMs, Lt 8, 1907, par. 5
What shameful humiliation the Redeemer suffered. Priests and rulers, scoffing at Him and mocking Him as He hung on the cross, said, “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.” [Matthew 27:42, 43.]Heaven
Chapter 12—Some Who Will Not Be There
Hvn 109.1
With awful distinctness do priests and rulers recall the events of Calvary. With shuddering horror they remember how, wagging their heads in satanic exultation, they exclaimed: “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.” Matthew 27:42, 43.The Great Controversy
Chapter 40—God’s People Delivered
GC 643.3
With awful distinctness do priests and rulers recall the events of Calvary. With shuddering horror they remember how, wagging their heads in satanic exultation, they exclaimed: “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.” Matthew 27:42, 43.The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)
Chapter 40—God’s People Delivered
GC88 643.3
With awful distinctness do priests and rulers recall the events of Calvary. With shuddering horror they remember how, wagging their heads in Satanic exultation, they exclaimed, “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.” [Matthew 27:42, 43.]The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4
Chapter 35—God’s People Delivered
4SP 461.2
With awful distinctness do priests and rulers recall the events of Calvary. With shuddering horror they remember how, wagging their heads in Satanic exultation, they exclaimed, “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.” [Matthew 27:42, 43.]The Story of Jesus
Chapter 23—Calvary
SJ 143.5
“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.” Matthew 27:42, 43.Homeward Bound
The Special Resurrection of the Lost, December 7
HB 372.5
With awful distinctness do priests and rulers recall the events of Calvary. With shuddering horror they remember how, wagging their heads in satanic exultation, they exclaimed: “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.” (Matthew 27:42, 43.)—The Great Controversy, 642, 643.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Lt 9a, 1891
7LtMs, Lt 9a, 1891, par. 21
The Son of God bore the contradiction of sinners against Himself. Behold His agony in the garden of Gethsemane. Hear His thrice repeated prayer, “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” Sweating great drops of blood in His human agony, He added, “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” [Matthew 26:39.] Hath then God no knowledge of His suffering creatures? Behold the Saviour betrayed, mocked, derided in the judgment hall. Who was this? The Prince of Life, the holy and beloved of God. Faint and weary after His long, agonizing struggle in the garden of Gethsemane, He was dragged from one tribunal to another, testified against by false witnesses, given up to the malice of the Jews by Pilate who pronounced Him blameless, scourged with cruel whips, spit upon, mocked at, fainting under the burden of the cross, and then lifted upon the cross, reproached in His dying agonies, the rude soldiers quarreling over His few garments, the reward for their part in the shameful work, priests and rulers in triumph wagging their heads and taunting Him, “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.” [Matthew 27:42, 43.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)
Lt 33, 1895
10LtMs, Lt 33, 1895, par. 30
Faint and weary after His long, agonizing struggle in the garden of Gethsemane, He was dragged from one tribunal to another, testified against by false witnesses, given up to the malice of the Jews by Pilate, who pronounced Him blameless, scourged with cruel whips, spit upon, mocked at, fainting under the burden of the cross, and then lifted upon the cross, reproached in His dying agonies, the rude soldiers quarreling over His few garments, the reward for their part in the shameful work, priests and rulers in triumph wagging their heads and taunting Him, “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.” [Matthew 27:42, 43.]Matthew 27:42-46
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)
Ms 52, 1905
20LtMs, Ms 52, 1905, par. 6
The Lord does not want us to bring a sorrowful tone into our meetings. He desires praise. “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me,” He declares. [Psalm 50:23.] We are to be always praising God. We need in our hearts the light of Christ. We need to know the joy of pardoned transgression and forgiven sin. If that joy is in us, we shall not be able to keep our lips closed during this Conference, because we shall realize the greatness of the sacrifice made for us upon the cross. We shall realize that Christ bore our sins in His body upon the tree. He was mocked and derided by those who ought to have received Him. As He hung upon the cross, the leaders and rulers of the Jewish nation cried out, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He is the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.” [Matthew 27:42.]20LtMs, Ms 52, 1905, par. 7
When there are set before us things that are a cross for us to take up, we can never be one with Christ until we have lifted the cross. It may be the cross of confession, the cross of repentance, the cross of humiliation; but whatever it may be, let us remember that in lifting it, the cross lifts us. We are one with Christ, for He pardons every penitent soul; and forgiven, we are partakers of the divine nature. He suffered the agony, He endured the reproach, and He cried out, “My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken Me?” [Verse 46.] It was because of our sins—because of your sins and mine—that He was thus afflicted.Matthew 27:43
Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Ms 128, 1897
12LtMs, Ms 128, 1897, par. 28
Christ’s spirit was grieved because the men of His own nation looked upon him as a root out of dry ground, without form or comeliness that they should desire Him. The Lord of hosts suffered with His Son, but He did not abate one jot of the penalty. The world’s Redeemer heard the people taking the oath of allegiance to a rival sovereign. He heard them divorcing themselves from God, refusing to obey His rule, saying, “We have no king but Caesar.” [John 19:15.] As He hung on the cross, they said of Him, “He trusted in God: let him deliver him now if ye will have him; for he said, I am the Son of God.” [Matthew 27:43.]12LtMs, Ms 128, 1897, par. 34
The time had come for the universe of heaven to accept their king. Angels and archangel, cherubim and seraphim, would now stand in view of the cross. The Father bows his head in recognition of the One of whom the priests and rulers had said, “He trusted in God; let him deliver him now if he will have him.” [Matthew 27:43.] The Father accepted His Son. No words could convey the language of heaven, or God’s expression of satisfaction and delight in His only begotten Son, as He saw the completion of the Atonement. Christ’s sacrifice was in every way satisfactory. In Him mercy and truth met together; righteousness and peace kissed each other. The Father embraced His Son, and this includes all who receive Him. “To them gave he power to become the sons of God.” [John 1:12.] They are His chosen ones, joint-heirs with Christ in the great firm of heaven. They overcome as He overcame.Matthew 27:46
God’s Amazing Grace
Forsaken by His Father, June 11
AG 170.1
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46.Testimony Treasures, vol. 1
Love Stronger than Death
1TT 231.2
Christ has shown that His love 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 grew stronger and stronger. He endured the hiding 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?” Matthew 27:46. 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.”Testimony Treasures, vol. 1
Limited Views of the Atonement
1TT 233.3
Christ yielded not in the least degree to the torturing 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?” Matthew 27:46.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 1 (1844 - 1868)
Lt 10, 1856
1LtMs, Lt 10, 1856, par. 5
Oh why do we die for bread or starve in a foreign land? Our Father’s house has rich supplies and bounteous are His hands. Jesus is precious. Let us live close to His bleeding side, and let us not shrink at trials. If you think you have many trials, I would say, Remember Calvary. Remember the King of glory in the garden sweating as it were great drops of blood. Next, see Him condemned, mocked at, spit upon, and then hung upon Calvary’s cross, the nails driven through His tender hands and feet. Hear Him cry in the agony of His soul, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Matthew 27:46.] All this untold agony, all this unrealized suffering was for you and me, for our sins, and if we have trials let us remember Him that endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself. Oh for the deep movings of the Spirit of God! I want to earnestly covet the purifying trials that will make me richer in glory.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)
Ms 41, 1892
7LtMs, Ms 41, 1892, par. 14
And Jesus bore all this untold sorrow that we might be changed to His divine image, and become the sons of God. “The chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” [Verse 5.] Behold Him in the wilderness, in Gethsemane, upon the cross! The spotless Son of God took upon Himself the burden of sin. He who had been one with God, felt in His soul the awful separation that sin makes between God and men. This forced from His lips the anguished cry, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” [Matthew 27:46.] It was the burden of sin, the sense of its terrible enormity, of its separation of the soul from God—it was this that broke the heart of the Son of God.EGW Writings — Ellen G. White. Ellen G. White Estate · all rights reserved
Matthew 27:22
From Heaven With Love
Chapter 68—When the Greeks Wished to “See Jesus”
HLv 416.5
The inquiry of the Greeks showed Christ that the sacrifice He was about to make would bring many sons and daughters to God. He knew that the Greeks would soon see Him in a position they did not then dream of. They would see Him placed beside Barabbas, a robber and a murderer. To the question, “What shall I do ... with Jesus?” the answer would be given, “Let Him be crucified.” Matthew 27:22. By making this propitiation for sin Christ knew that His kingdom would be perfected and would extend throughout the world. He would work as the Restorer, and His Spirit would prevail.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)
Ms 16, 1893
8LtMs, Ms 16, 1893, par. 13
Pilate seeks to release Him, and Pilate presents Him as an innocent man. After scourging Him he brings Him forward, and with Christ on one hand and Barabbas on the other, he asks the people which is their choice, which shall he release unto them. Barabbas, whose countenance expresses depravity and every mark of cruelty, and who was such a notable robber, is placed forward so that they can make their choice: [Barabbas or] Christ, [who] loved mercy and compassion, and who did not cast one reproachful look upon His enemies. Pilate thought the contrast was so evident that they would choose Christ, but hear the coarse cry to release Barabbas. Pilate says, “What shall I do with Christ?” “Crucify him, crucify him,” came from their coarse voices. [Matthew 27:22; Luke 23:21.] Now I ask you, men and women, what confidence have you in human nature unless controlled by the grace of Christ? Christ’s human arm encircled the human race while with His divine arm He grasped the throne of the Infinite One. And this world, that had been separated from the continent of heaven, He throws it back into favor with God. Here the human family may look to heaven and say, “I see its battlements. O, what path shall I tread that I may reach its happiness?” Many of you are saying this.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)
Ms 56, 1894
9LtMs, Ms 56, 1894, par. 4
Jesus would be delivered up to the agonies of crucifixion by a man who pronounced Him innocent, and the people would choose a robber and murderer before they would choose Christ, the Son of God. They would choose one who had afflicted the community, who was hardened with guilt, whose character was defiled, and turn away from [One] who was innocent, pure, and undefiled. Instructed by priests and rabbis, the people would shriek out the name of Barabbas, hoarsely crying [in answer] to the question, “What then shall I do with Jesus?” “Let him be crucified.” [Matthew 27:22.] The blood of the Son of the Infinite God was to be mingled with the sacrifices of men for He was the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world.Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)
Ms 11, 1896
11LtMs, Ms 11, 1896, par. 5
We have no time now to consult our own inconvenience. Christ did not consult His convenience when He left the royal throne of God, and came to this earth, to be crucified by the people whom He came to save. Wonder, O heaven, and be astonished, O earth, that He, who came to win a crown of immortality for humanity, was discarded, and a murderer chosen in His place. At His trial Christ was placed side by side with Barabbas—Christ with His countenance expressive of the Father’s image, and Barabbas, a thief and a murderer. Whom will ye that release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus? Asked Pilate, and like the bellowing of wild beasts the answer came, “Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas.” [Luke 23:18.] “What shall I do with Christ?” “Crucify him, crucify him,” echoed and re-echoed through the company, “let him be crucified.” [Luke 23:21; Matthew 27:22.]Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)
Lt 26, 1897
12LtMs, Lt 26, 1897, par. 8
You and Hattie separated from God. Hattie does not help you, or you her. When you fall all broken at the feet of Jesus, you will help one another, and then you can see the wrongs of others, and in the Spirit of Christ try to help them. You ought to feel sorrow because after Christ has given His own life that you and Hattie and the whole world might be saved, He sees so many who have no inclination to give up self and choose Jesus. Christ’s own nation, for whom He had done so much, too much for human minds and pens to transcribe, rejected Him. When Pilate asked them whom they would have released to them, they cried out Barabbas. “And what shall I do with Christ?” “Crucify him, crucify him.” “Shall I crucify your king?” Then came the shameful answer, “We have no king but Caesar.” [Matthew 27:22; John 19:6, 15.]