Behold the Emperor of Woe!
Beholding Jesus' suffering in the garden of Gethsemane and on the cross is essential for living aright and rising to dignity.
C.H. Spurgeon invites believers to behold Jesus, the 'Emperor of Woe,' emphasizing that true joy and comfort come from understanding His profound suffering. He paints a vivid picture of Christ in Gethsemane, His agony on the cross, and the depth of His sorrow, urging sinners to look upon their suffering Lord. Spurgeon asserts that in contemplating Christ's pain, believers find healing for their own afflictions and a deeper appreciation for the hope found in His sacrifice. He encourages the faithful to remain at the foot of the cross, where they can find solace and strength amidst their own trials.
Text
"Behold the Man!" John 19:5
If there is one place where our Lord Jesus most fully becomes the joy and comfort of His people--it is where He plunged deepest into the depths of woe!
Come hither, gracious souls, and behold the Man in the garden of Gethsemane! Behold His heart so brimming with love--that He cannot hold it in; so full of sorrow--that it must find a vent. Behold the bloody sweat as it distills from every pore of His body, and falls upon the ground!
Behold the Man as they drive the nails into His hands and feet! Look up, repenting sinners, and see the sorrowful image of your suffering Lord! Mark Him, as the ruby drops stand on the thorn-crown, and adorn the diadem of the King of Misery with priceless gems!
Behold the Man when all His bones are out of joint, and He is poured out like water and brought into the dust of death! God has forsaken Him--and hell compasses Him about. Behold and see--was there ever sorrow--like unto His sorrow? All you who pass by--draw near and look upon this spectacle of grief! Unique, unparalleled, a wonder to men and angels--an unmatched marvel!
Behold the Emperor of Woe--who had no equal or rival in His agonies! Gaze upon Him, you mourners, for if there is not consolation in a crucified Christ--there is no joy in earth or heaven. If in the ransom price of His blood, there is not hope--you harps of heaven, there is no joy in you; and the right hand of God shall know no pleasures for evermore!
We have only to sit more continually at the cross foot--to be less troubled with our afflictions and woes. We have but to see His sorrows--and we shall be ashamed to mention our sorrows. We have but to gaze into His wounds--and heal our own. If we would live aright--it must be by the contemplation of His death. If we would rise to dignity--it must be by considering His humiliation and His sorrow!
Sermon Outline
- I. Beholding the Man in the Garden of Gethsemane
- A. His heart full of love and sorrow
- B. The bloody sweat as a symbol of His suffering
- II. Beholding the Man on the Cross
- A. The nails in His hands and feet
- B. The ruby drops on the thorn-crown
- III. Beholding the Man in His Agony
- A. His bones out of joint and poured out like water
- B. God forsaking Him and hell surrounding Him
- IV. Beholding the Emperor of Woe
- A. Unique and unparalleled in His agonies
- B. A wonder to men and angels
Key Quotes
“Behold the Man in the garden of Gethsemane! Behold His heart so brimming with love--that He cannot hold it in; so full of sorrow--that it must find a vent.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Behold the Emperor of Woe--who had no equal or rival in His agonies!” — C.H. Spurgeon
“If we would live aright--it must be by the contemplation of His death. If we would rise to dignity--it must be by considering His humiliation and His sorrow!” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We should contemplate Jesus' death to live aright and rise to dignity.
- Jesus' suffering is greater than our afflictions, and contemplating His death can help us be less troubled with our woes.
- Beholding Jesus' suffering can help us be ashamed to mention our sorrows and heal our own.