9. Jerusalem might not be scandalized by the bodies remaining on the cross on the sabbath-day; for it was a high day! We read also this (John 19:31-3331The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: (John 19:31‑33)): The Jews, therefore, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath day, besought Pilate that their legs might be broken. But Jesus was dead already; so they brake not His legs as they did those of them who were crucified with Him. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden; and in it a new sepulcher.... there they laid Jesus. (John 19:41, 4241Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. 42There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. (John 19:41‑42).)
Observe what a disgraceful kind of death, and how man did everything to add insult and shame and disgrace to Him in it. I think if those who did it had understood how the Lamb's sufferings were the expression of what was God's estimate of man's vileness: how nauseous and loathsome man's sin was to Him, they could not, in their self-righteousness, have more strongly expressed themselves against such an estimate of themselves than they did against Jesus. I do indeed think that this was in Satan's mind while leading them on. And 0 poor self-accusing sinner! stop thy self-accusations, and listen to God's charge and accusations against thee in the cross, for there He she wed His utter detestation and abhorrence of thee; and 0, there He was bearing the judgment of His own detestation of thee, that while He condemned thy sin, He might pardon thyself!
His being crucified was indeed a thing to be noticed; and it is but a little onward and we find the fact made a title for the Lord by the angels, and an interest in it that which made them love those that felt it.