When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see ye to it. Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. And Pilate, wishing to content the multitude released unto them Barabbas, that for insurrection and murder had been cast into prison, whom they asked for; but Jesus, when he had scourged him, he delivered up to their will to be crucified. (1) Part Sixth.---Jesus Christ's Crucifixion and Death. And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the robe, and put on him his garments, and led him away to crucify him. And he went out, bearing the cross for himself, unto the place called The Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgatha. And when they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus; him they compelled, to go with them, that he might bear his cross, and laid the cross on him. (2) And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and of women who bewailed and lamented him. But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For behold, the days are coming, in which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the breasts that never gave suck. Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us. For if they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry. And there were also two others, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. (3) And when they were come unto a place called Golgatha, they gave him wine to drink mingled with myrrh; and when he tasted it, he would not drink it and received it not. (4) There they crucified him and with him two robbers, one on the right hand, and one on the left, and Jesus in the midst: And it was the third hour, that they crucified him, (5) And Jesus said, FATHER, FORGIVE THEM; FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO. (6) The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also a coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore one to another, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my garments among them, And upon my vesture did they cast lots, These things therefore the soldiers did. And they sat and watched him there. (7) And they set up over his head his accusation. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross; and the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews; for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. (8) And the people stood beholding. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ha! thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself, and come down from the cross. In like manner also the chief priests mocking him among themselves with the scribes said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If this is the Christ of God, his chosen, the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe. He trusteth on God; let him deliver him now, if he desireth him; for he said, I am the Son of God. (1) And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? Save thyself and us. But the other answered, and rebuking him said, Dost thou not even fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. And he said unto him, VERILY I SAY UNTO THEE, TO-DAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE. (2) But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, WOMAN, BEHOLD, THY SON! Then saith he to the disciple, BEHOLD, THY MOTHER! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home. (3) And it was now about the sixth hour, and a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, the sun's light failing. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI? that is to say, MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elijah. (4) After this Jesus, knowing that all things are now finished, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith, I THIRST. Now there was set there a vessel full of vinegar; and one ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him. (5) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, IT IS FINISHED! And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and said, FATHER, INTO THY HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT! And having said this, he bowed his head, and yielded up his spirit. (6) And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent; and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints that had fallen asleep were raised; and coming forth out of the tombs after his resurrection they entered into the holy city and appeared unto many. (7) Now the centurion which stood by over against him, and they that were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earth quake, and the things that were done and that he so gave up his ghost, feared exceedingly and glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man, Truly this was the Son of God! And all the multitudes that came together to this sight, when they beheld the things that were done, returned smiting their breasts, (8) And all his acquaintance and the women that followed him from Galilee and ministered unto him, stood afar off, seeing these things. Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less, and of Joses, and Salome the mother of Zebedee's children, and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem. (9) The Jews therefore, because it was the Preparation, that the bodies should not remain on the cross upon the sabbath (for the day of that sabbath was a high day), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. Therefore the soldiers came, and brake the legs of the (1) St. Luke xxiii. 35.36. St. Matth. xxvii. 39-43. St. Mark xv. 29–32. (2) St. Luke xxiii. 39-43. (8) St. John xix. 25-27. St. Mark xv. 33-35. (4) St. Luke xxiii. 44-45. St. Matth. xxvii. 45-47. THE HISTORY OF THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD. first, and the other which was crucified with him, but when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs, but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and straightway there came out blood and water. And he that hath seen hath borne witness, and his witness is true: and he knoweth that he said true, that ye also may believe. For these things came to pass, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. (1) Part Seventh.---Christ's Burial. And when the even was now come, because it was the Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, there came a rich man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, named Joseph, a counsellor of honorable estate. He was a good and righteous man and had not consulted to their counsel and deed, which had also awaited for the kingdom of God, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews. And he boldly went in unto Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he learned it of the centurion, he commanded, that the corpse be granted to Joseph. And he bought a clean linen cloth and took down the body of Jesus. (2) And there came also Nicodemus, he who at the first came to him by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound weight. So they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. (3) Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new tomb, Joseph's own new tomb, hewn out in the rock, where in never man before was laid. There laid they Jesus therefore, because of the Jews' preparation day, for the tomb was nigh at hand. And the women which had come with him out of Galilee and Mary Magdalene and Mary Joses, followed after and, sitting over against the sepulchre, beheld the sepulchre and how his body was laid. And Joseph rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb, and departed. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath they rested according to the commandment, (*) Now on the next day that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees were gathered together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember, that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest haply his disciples come and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead; and the last error will be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a guard: go your way, make it as sure as ye can, So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them. (5) (1) St. John xix. 31-37. (2) St. Matth. xxvii. 57-59. St. Mark xv. 42-46. St. Luke xxiii. 50-53. St. John xix. 38. (3) St. John xix. 39-40. (4) St. John xix. 41.42. St. Matth. xxvii. 60.61. St. Mark xv. 46.47. St. Luke xxiii. 53-56. (5) St. Matth. xxvii. 62-66. FORMS OF PRAYER That may be used for Devotions at Home. SUNDAY MORNING. Almighty and everlasting God, Source of all being, and Fountain of all good; we Thy children, created by Thee, continually preserved by Thee, and indebted to Thee for all that we possess and all that we enjoy, would come before Thee this morning, to express our sense of Thy goodness to us, to acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, to adore Thy greatness, and commend ourselves to Thy care. Glory be to Thy Name that Thou hast made us capable of holding communion with Thee, the Father of our spirits, and of receiving the revelations of Thy word and will. Glory be to thy name for the heavenly doctrines, precepts, and provinces of the gospel of Thy Son. We make it our earnest prayer to Thee, that our hearts be touched by its holy influences, that our characters may be formed by its spirit, that our lives may be governed by its laws. O guide us, we beseech Thee, in the ways of its truth to the everlasting home which it promises to the righteous. Let our attendance this day on Thy public worship, and the services and instructions of Thy house, conduce to our spiritual improvement and our eternal good. Let us enter Thy gates with thanksgiving, and Thy courts with praise, and take with us our best affections and resolutions to the temple of the Lord. Let our prayers and meditations exalt and purify us, and assist us to discharge our duties in this life, and contribute to prepare us for that eternal world to which we are rapidly hastening. Bless all who call upon Thy name this day. May they approach Thee in sincerity, humility and love. May all denominations of Christians, however divided in opinion, be joined together in the bond of peace and an earnest regard for the interests of true religion and virtue. We offer these our petitions in the Name of Jesus Christ, Thy well-beloved Son; ascribing to Thee, the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, all glory and honor, might, majesty and dominion, now and for evermore. Amen. SUNDAY EVENING. Our Father, who art in heaven; accept, we beseech Thee, our grateful acknowledgments for Thy goodness to us this day; for preserving our lives; for shielding us from danger; for supplying our daily bread; for permitting our attendance on the ordinances of Thy house. Let it not be in vain that those of us who have united with Thy people in public worship, have lifted up our thoughts to God, and listened to the voice of instruction. We fervently pray that whatever good impressions may have been made upon us may be durable; that whatever good resolutions we may have formed may be steadfastly kept; that the errors which we have confessed may be reformed; that every devout aspiration we may have breathed in the sanctuary, may be remembered in the world to guard us against temptation, and preserve us holy and undefiled. Help us all to set our affections on things above. Keep ever in our minds, a lively sense of our responsibility to Thee. May we constantly live as in Thy world, in Thy sight, as Thy subjects, Thy creatures, Thy children. Let it be our study at home and abroad, by day and night, to love and fear Thee as we ought, and to do those things which are well pleasing in Thy sight. Enable us to become true followers of Thy Son Jesus Christ in all things; to clothe ourselves with His humility, purity and benevolence. Let Thy will, as it was His, be ours also. Like Him, may we go about doing good. May the contemplation of His character, and imitation of His example, bring us constantly nearer His own perfection, and to those mansions of everlasting happiness which He has promised to His disciples, and gone before to prepare for them. Watch over us during the darkness of this night, and the defenceless hours of sleep; preserve us from all dangers; and bring us to the light of another morning more inclined to love Thee, and resolved to serve Thee, than we ever have been. Accept our evening sacrifice of prayer and praise, which we offer in the Name of Jesus Christ our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen. MONDAY MORNING. Great and glorious Lord our God; we, Thy servants, whom Thou hast brought to see the light of another morning, prostrate ourselves before Thee, and humbly acknowledge Thee as the God of our lives, and the Giver ot all good. It is Thou who sustainest us in the defenceless hours of sleep, and when we awake we are still with Thee. Encompassed by the same care which guarded us by night, we go forth to the occupations of the day. O God, our trust is in Thee. Give us grace to perform our duty faithfully; to use this world as not abusing it; to hold fast our integrity as long as we live; to remember that Thou seest us always, and that we must render a final account of all that we do to Thee, the Witness and the Judge of men. We thank Thee, O most merciful Father, for our domestic ties and family blessings. May we, the members of this household, mutually endeavor to discharge our several duties to each other with tenderness and fidelity. Let the gentle and pure spirit of the blessed Jesus possess our hearts, and influence our conduct. Let tranquility, harmony and love abide in our dwelling, and the voice of health and cheerfulness be continually heard in it. Wilt Thou extend Thy loving kindness to all our friends. Delight in their happiness here, and make them heirs of the inheritance of the saints in the future and eternal world. O Thou, whose blessing is on the habitation of the just, let us be the joyful objects of that blessing, now and evermore. O God, hear us in Thy great mercy; pity our sins; and from our united hearts accept this tribute of devotion, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. MONDAY EVENING. O Thou who dwellest in the heavens, but whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain, unto Thee do we lift up our souls. Thou art never far from any of us, and we cannot flee from thy presence. If we say, the darkness shall hide us, soon the night shall be light about us; for the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee. Thou seest us at this moment, and discernest every thought and intention of our hearts. Thou art acquainted with all our ways, and there is not a word in our tongue, but lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether. When discouraged by difficulties, let us look up to Thee from whom our help cometh; and when distressed by calamity, may we take refuge in Thy mercy, and find peace by staying our minds on the eternal One. Through life may we act always as seeing Him who is invisible. In death may we find our consolation in the presence of Him, who, when flesh and heart fail, will be the strength of our heart and our portion for ever. |