What are its uses and applications, by the Spirit, in the Scripture?
THE death of the Lord was,
1. the expression of Israel's rejection of Him; and His way of getting by resurrection upon the new ground proper to the church. (Matt. 16:21.)
2. As connected with the resurrection, it was His secret to the disciples till He took the ground proper to them as the church. (Matt. 17:9.)
3. It was man's act-the Gentiles (Mark 10:34; Luke 18:33) did it, though the Jews might have first sought it while His opening. of it to His followers was the proof of His love to them. (Matt. 17:22.)
4. Yea, of His God-like care and sympathy, knowing the while their wretched selfishness. (Matt. 20:17-19.)
5. The desire of it was mentioned by Him as the proof of the nation Israel's rejection of Him. (Matt. xxviii. 38.)
6. But it was not the desire of the people only, but the planned counsel of the chief office-bearers both in religion and in state. (Matt. 26:3, 4.)
7. In the anticipation of what was before Him, His soul was sorrowful even unto death. (Ver. 38.)
8. It was the deep, settled, unwavering desire of the heads of the Government, ecclesiastical and political. (Matt. 27:1.)
9. Though they could find no plea in truth, nor even by false witnesses establish a fair appearance of a plea, but were obliged to make the Lord's grace and truth (that He was the Christ, the Son of the Blessed) the plea for His death. (Mark 14:55-65.)
10. Against which the judge three times protested, inasmuch as both himself and Herod had found no fault in Him. (Luke 23 l3-22; John 19:7.)
11. Nevertheless it is hurried to a close, though shown to be tinder the over-ruling hand of God in that the circumstances were predicted in prophecy. (Luke 23:32.)
12. Yet He died not by the death of the cross, though He died upon the cross: His suffering was cut short before the wonted time; for this, among other reasons, that the scripture might be fulfilled, "not a bone of him shall be broken." (Mark 15:44; John 19:33.)
13. Their dread of its being reported He had obtained the victory over the grave and had risen leads them to protect the place where His body is laid by means which become unquestionable evidence of his resurrection. (Matt. xxviii. 64.)
14. Yet. His victory over death and the grave by resurrection is fully evidenced; and that not only by their own guards. but by the disciples, and the angels also by whom it was first communicated to them. (Matt. 28 '7; Luke 24:5.)
15.. Though these disciples had heard, like many now, in vain the Lord's instruction concerning what was coming upon Him. (Luke 24:20; John 20:9.)