Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) of John Newton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon XXII (Messiah unpitied and without comforter).
My summary
This week Newton preaches on '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.' (Psa 69:20)
Newton teaches us that the Christ experienced exquisite distress at his crucifixion, shown by:
(i) the reproach he experienced, not just from his enemies but also from his friends;
(ii) his human nature's involvement in the distress.
What grabbed me
I liked this point about the difference between Christ's sufferings and our sufferings: 'The greatness of suffering cannot be certainly estimated by the single consideration of the immediate apparent cause ; the impression it actually makes upon the mind of the sufferer, must likewise be taken into the account. That which is a heavy trial to one person, may to another be much lighter, and perhaps no trial at all. And a state of outward prosperity, in which the eye of a by-stander can see nothing wanting to happiness, may be, and I doubt not often is, a state of torment to the possessor. On the other hand, we know that the consolations with which it has sometimes pleased God to cheer his suffering servants, have enabled them to rejoice in the greatest extremities. They have triumphed upon the rack, and while their flesh was consuming by the fire. The Lord has had many followers, who, for his sake, have endured scourgings, and tortures, and terrible deaths, not only without reluctance or dismay, but without a groan. But he him-self was terrified, amazed, and filled with anguish, when he suffered for us. Shall we say, The disciples, in such cases, have been superior to their Master ; when yet they acknowledged that they derived all their strength and resolution from him ? This difference cannot be well accounted for by those who deny that his sufferings were a proper atonement for sin, and who can see no other reason for his death, than that by dying he was to seal the truth of his doctrine, and to propose himself to us as an example of constancy and patience. But the great aggravation of Messiah's sufferings, was the suspension of those divine supports which enable his people to endure the severest afflictions to which he calls them.'
The supports that we often enjoy when we suffer were not present for our Lord.
Next week's reading
Read Sermon XXIII (No sorrow like Messiah's sorrow).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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