John 19:16–18

In the second branch of this part of the chapter is contained the execution of the sentence; That he being condemned, they led him away to Mount Calvary, bearing his own Crosse, and there crucified him with two other with him, one on either hand. Not to repeat what hath been said of this way of Christs suffering on chap. 18.28. and on v. 31, 32. where a Providence is observed in it; we may from this purpose, Learn, 1. Sufferers may expect not only to have cruel resolutions taken, and cruel sentences given out against them, but to have them cruelly execute; for, so was it with Christ, he being condemned, they took him and led him away: And he met with this, not only to shew that our sins deserved not only threatned, but real inflicted punishment: or, to purchase to his followers many a sweet disappointment in their sufferings; but that he might sanctifie such a lot to them, when sufferings are permitted to come to an extremity. 2. As the Lord marks the activity of persecutors against Christ, and propounds it to be marked by his people, to shame them when they are negligent for him; (for, therefore doth he record that after his condemnation, they, immediately, took Jesus and led him away) so his eye is most upon them who are most malicious against him: for, albeit the souldiers were actors in this businesse, yet for this cause he marks specially, that they (or the Jewes to whom Pilate delivered him) took him and led him away. 3. Christ submitted to be accounted an execrable person, and in an execrable condition, and one whom none would own; that so we might inherit a blessing in him; Therefore went he forth, bearing his Crosse, as one accursed, whom none in all the company would help to bear his Crosse, till one was compelled to help him, as the rest observe. 4. It may please the Lord to let trial and great weaknesse tryst together, and to lay on crosses when we seem very unmeet for bearing of them; for, Christ after he is wearied all night, and spent with former sufferings, is made to bear his Crosse, till he faint again. 5. Sufferers may get few sympathizers, even of dearest friends; and Christ endured this lot, that he might be a tender friend to us; for, he bare his Crosse, without any of his followers to help him, but another must be compelled when he needs it. 6. Whatever be our weaknesse and discouragement under trial; yet it is our great victory voluntarily to submit and bear it; for, notwithstanding this his low condition, yet he bearing his Crosse, went forth, and was not drawn, but bears on till he faint again. 7. The place to which he is carried to be crucified, is called the place of a skull, (which is the signification also of the Hebrew or Syriack name, Golgotha, to which also the name Calvary, Luke 23.33. agreeth) And it gets this name, not so much because the forme of that mountain resembled a skull, as because there were many sculls of execute malefactours lying or buried there. He was brought to this place to suffer, not only to shew how loathsome we and our sins are before God, in that our Surety must suffer in so loathsome a place; But further it teacheth, 1. Our Lord is the true substance of that sacrifice slain without the camp, whose blood was brought into the Sanctuary, Heb. 13.11, 12. And however he was esteemed of among men, in suffering here; yet his blood hath made way, and opened an entry into heaven. 2. By this he hath sanctified the contempt of his people in the world, and taught them to go out unto him, bearing his reproach, who suffered without the gate, Heb. 13.12, 13, 14. 3. By this he hath shewed how by his death he will be death’s death, in that he suffered and triumphed over death in the place of a skull, where there were many monuments of deaths triumph over others. Doct. 8. Christ by his suffering this death of being crucified, hath taught us, 1. We by nature are under the curse, and he hath undergone that curse, that all who flee to him, may be freed from it, and that all their conditions may be blessed, and their very crosses turned into blessings; Therefore did he undergo this cursed death, Gal. 3.13. 2. By his pouring out of his blood, even unto death, which flowed abundantly (as from other places, both before his being crucified, and after his death; so also) from his hands and feet, He hath pointed out to us, that as there is no remission of sins without the shedding of blood, Heb. 9.22. so he hath opened up that fountain for all who come to him. 3. By this way of shedding his blood, by piercing of his hands and feet, which were sensible parts, and his being hanged up nailed to the Crosse, to continue in pain for a long time, and his wounds continually widening by the weight of his body till he died; we are taught, what the bitter fruit of sin is, how great his love was that did submit to endure this sharp and long continuing pain, and, how we are bound to look on him whom we have pierced, till our hearts be pierced and bleed again. 4 His being fastned and continuing there upon the Crosse for a space, before he died, may teach, how resolute he was to endure that assault till justice were satisfied; That he kept and stood in the field there, to endure the uttermost that enemies could do against the work of Redemption, and to grapple with all of them, till they had no more to say against his people; and, That he would give a proof how certainly he is to be found at his Crosse, with stretched-out armes ready to receive all them who seek for life in him, and through his death. 5. His being lifted up thus nailed to the Crosse, may teach, partly, That we deserved no room, neither in heaven nor earth, and therefore our Surety was lifted up betwixt both, and hence also was the Sun darkned, (as for other causes, so) to shew that we deserve not so much as that the Sun should shine upon us: and partly, That his suffering was indeed his exaltation, he was lifted up in it by triumphing over his enemies there, and he is exalted in the world as crucified. Doct. 9. Albeit Christ in his own person was the spotlesse Lamb of God; yet so hainous and so many were the sins of the Elect charged upon him, that in divine Providence, he is not only reckoned among transgressours, Isa. 53.12. but as the chief of them; Therefore it is so ordered, that he is crucified, and other two with him, and Jesus in the midst, as the most notable of them. And this may teach the Elect, not to mince or extenuate their own sins, which were charged on Christ as so odious. 10. Christ was content to be accounted, and undergo the lot of a malefactour; not only that he might free us who were indeed evil-doers, but that he might sanctifie unto his people their being looked upon, and intreated as evil-doers; Therefore also was he crucified in such company.