A Devotion from Charles Spurgeon

“They took Jesus, and led him away.” —John 19:16

He had been all night in agony, he had spent the early morning at the hall of Caiaphas, he had

been hurried from Caiaphas to Pilate, from Pilate to Herod, and from Herod back again to

Pilate; he had, therefore, but little strength left, and yet neither refreshment nor rest were

permitted him. They were eager for his blood, and therefore led him out to die, loaded with the

cross. O dolorous procession! Well may Salem’s daughters weep. My soul, do thou weep also.

What learn we here as we see our blessed Lord led forth? Do we not perceive that truth which

was set forth in shadow by the scapegoat? Did not the high-priest bring the scapegoat, and put

both his hands upon its head, confessing the sins of the people, that thus those sins might be

laid upon the goat, and cease from the people? Then the goat was led away by a fit man into

the wilderness, and it carried away the sins of the people, so that if they were sought for they

could not be found. Now we see Jesus brought before the priests and rulers, who pronounce

him guilty; God himself imputes our sins to him, “the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us

all;” “He was made sin for us;” and, as the substitute for our guilt, bearing our sin upon his

shoulders, represented by the cross; we see the great Scapegoat led away by the appointed

officers of justice. Beloved, can you feel assured that he carried your sin? As you look at the

cross upon his shoulders, does it represent your sin? There is one way by which you can tell

whether he carried your sin or not. Have you laid your hand upon his head, confessed your sin,

and trusted in him? Then your sin lies not on you; it has all been transferred by blessed

imputation to Christ, and he bears it on his shoulder as a load heavier than the cross.

Let not the picture vanish till you have rejoiced in your own deliverance, and adored the loving

Redeemer upon whom your iniquities were laid.