Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/223

 II. " And  they  that  passed  by  blasphemed  Him." (Matt, xxvii.  39.)  The  priests,  the  citizens,  and  the  soldiers united  in  insulting  Him. They accused  Him  of  a want  of  power. " He  saved  others,"  they  vociferate, " Himself  He  cannot  save." They condemned  Him  of arrogance  for  assuming  the  title  of  king. " If  He  be  the king  of  Israel,  let  Him  now  come  down  from  the  cross." They said  He  affected  to  be  the  Son  of  God,  and  vainly relied on  His  assumed  title:  "He  trusted  in  God;  let  Him deliver  Him  now,  if  He  will  have  Him." Lastly, they accused Him  of  pride:  "Vah,  Thou  who  destroyest  the temple  of  God,  and  in  three  days  buildest  it  up  again." During all  this  insolence  Christ  preserves  the  most  profound silence. Truly "  He  was  filled  with  reproaches!" (Lament, iii.  30.)

III. Christ did  not  come  down  from  His  cross,  or shorten  the  duration  of  His  pains,  although  He  might have easily  done  so,  but  continues  to  suffer  to  His  last breath without  admitting  any  comfort,  in  order  to  teach you to  persevere  in  good  "  to  the  end." Never forget that He  suffered  all  this  for  your  sins. " He  was  wounded for  our  iniquities,  He  was  bruised  for  our  sins." (Is. liii. 5.)  Beware,  therefore,  lest  by  returning  to  sin  "  you crucify  again,"  as  St.  Paul  observes,  "  the  Son  of  God," to your  everlasting  destruction. (Heb. vi.  6.)

I. Christ  was  sent  into  the  world  by  His  heavenly Father to  teach  us  the  way  of  salvation. " This  is  My beloved  Son;  hear  Him." (Luke ix.  35.)    It  is  our  duty.