remember we cannot expect to fare better than our Master. When Christ was made sin for us, he
was silent, and left it to his blood to speak. Hitherto Jesus had seldom professed expressly to be
the Christ, the Son of God; the tenor of his doctrine spoke it, and his miracles proved it; but now
he would not omit to make an open confession of it. It would have looked like declining his
sufferings. He thus confessed, as an example and encouragement to his followers, to confess him
before men, whatever hazard they ran. Disdain, cruel mocking, and abhorrence, are the sure portion
of the disciple as they were of the Master, from such as would buffet and deride the Lord of glory.
These things were exactly foretold in the fiftieth chapter of Isaiah. Let us confess Christ's name,
and bear the reproach, and he will confess us before his Father's throne.
Verses 69–75
Peter's sin is truly related, for the Scriptures deal faithfully. Bad company leads to sin: those
who needlessly thrust themselves into it, may expect to be tempted and insnared, as Peter. They
scarcely can come out of such company without guilt or grief, or both. It is a great fault to be shy
of Christ; and to dissemble our knowledge of him, when we are called to own him, is, in effect, to
deny him. Peter's sin was aggravated; but he fell into the sin by surprise, not as Judas, with design.
But conscience should be to us as the crowing of the cock, to put us in mind of the sins we had
forgotten. Peter was thus left to fall, to abate his self-confidence, and render him more modest,
humble, compassionate, and useful to others. The event has taught believers many things ever since,
and if infidels, Pharisees, and hypocrites stumble at it or abuse it, it is at their peril. Little do we
know how we should act in very difficult situations, if we were left to ourselves. Let him, therefore,
that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall; let us all distrust our own hearts, and rely wholly
on the Lord. Peter wept bitterly. Sorrow for sin must not be slight, but great and deep. Peter, who
wept so bitterly for denying Christ, never denied him again, but confessed him often in the face of
danger. True repentance for any sin will be shown by the contrary grace and duty; that is a sign of
our sorrowing not only bitterly, but sincerely.
Chapter 27
Chapter Outline
Christ delivered to Pilate, The despair of (1–10)
Judas.
Christ before Pilate. (11–25)
Barabbas loosed, Christ mocked. (26–30)
Christ led to be crucified. (31–34)
He is crucified. (35–44)
The death of Christ. (45–50)
Events at the crucifixion. (51–56)