The Family Altar - F.W. Herzberger (1922) 

March 22

"Then delivered he [Pilate] Him unto them to be crucified.

And they took Jesus, and led Him away. And He, bearing His

cross, went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which

is called in the Hebrew Golgotha." John 19:16, 17.

"Let us also go, that we may die with Him," Thomas ex-

claimed when his Master turned His face toward Jerusalem there

to suffer and die. "Let us also go, that we may die with Him!"

Must we not make these words of Thomas ours as we see our

bleeding, suffering Lord going forth to His death, bearing His

cross? Do not our hearts melt with sorrowing love and gratitude

at the touching sight? He bears His cross, bears it willingly,

uncomplainingly, in loving obedience to His heavenly Father's

will, bears with it all sin and guilt, the sin and guilt of all the

sons of Adam ! Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away

the sin of the world ! He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not

His mouth. (Is. 53:7.)

I see my Lord, the pure, the meek, the lowly,

Along the mournful way in sadness tread;

The thorns are on His brow, and He, the Holy,

Bearing His cross, to Calvary is led.

Silent He moveth on, all uncomplaining,

Though wearily His grief and burden press;

And foes — nor shame nor pity now restraining —

With scoff and jeering mock His deep distress.

'Tis hell's dark hour; yet calm Himself resigning,

E'en as a lamb that goeth to be slain,

The wine-press lone He treadeth unrepining,

And falling blood-drops all His raiment stain.

In mortal weakness 'neath His burden sinking,

The Son of God accepts a mortal's aid!

Then passes on to Golgotha unshrinking,

Where love's divinest sacrifice is made.

Dear Lord ! what though my path be set with sorrow,

And oft beneath some heavy cross I groan?

My soul, weighed down, shall strength and courage borrow

At thoughts of deeper grief which Thou hast known.

And I, in tears, will yet look up in gladness,

And hope, when troubles most my soul would drown;

The mournful way which Thou didst tread in sadness

Was but Thy way to glory and Thy crown.