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"A great multitude of the people followed Him, including women who mourned and wailed for Him." Luke 23:27
Amid the rabble crowd which hounded the Redeemer to His doom, there were some gracious souls whose bitter anguish sought vent in wailing and lamentationsfit music to accompany that march of woe!
When my soul can, in imagination, see the Savior bearing His cross to Calvaryshe joins the godly women, and weeps with them. They bewailed,
innocencemaltreated,
goodnesspersecuted,
lovebleeding,
meeknessdying!
But my heart has a deeper and more bitter cause to mourn: MY SINS were the scourges which lacerated those blessed shoulders! MY SINS were the thorns which crowned that bleeding brow! MY SINS cried, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" and laid the cruel cross upon His gracious shoulders! His being led forth to die, is sorrow enough for one eternitybut MY having been His murdereris more, infinitely more grief, than one poor fountain of tears can express! Those women who loved and weptcould not have had greater reasons for love and griefthan my heart has!
The widow of Nain saw her son restoredbut I myself have been raised to newness of life!
Peter's mother-in-law was cured of the feverbut I myself have been cured of the plague of sin!
Mary Magdalene had seven devils cast out of herbut a whole legion of devils were cast out of me!
Mary and Martha were favored with visits from Jesusbut He dwells with me!
I am not behind these holy women in debt to Jesuslet me not be behind them, in gratitude or sorrow.
"Love and grief my heart dividing,
With my tears His feet I'll lave;
Constant still in heart abiding,
Weep for Him who died to save!"
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