Christ, the sinless One, was making an infinite sacrifice for sinners, that they might be saved. He came as a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, and those for whom He came looked upon Him as stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. The cup of suffering was placed in His hand, as if He were the guilty one, and he drained it to the dregs. He bore the sin of the world to the bitter end. And yet men continue to sin, and Christ continues to feel the consequences of their sin as if he Himself were the guilty one. {13MR 369.3}
Jim, I appreciated the quote you brought out from Manuscript Releases, Volume 13. I am reminded of how when we sin, we crucify Christ afresh:
Hebrews 6:6 "If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."In again seeing the beauty of Christ's character in this chapter of Desire of Ages, I am again comforted with the thought that Christ's loveliness beheld continually is able to transform us and give us a hatred for sin, so that we would rather die than knowingly commit a sin against God.
See Jesus so beautifully revealed in contrast to the evil men arraying Him:
There stood the Son of God, wearing the robe of mockery and the crown of thorns. Stripped to the waist, His back showed the long, cruel stripes, from which the blood flowed freely. His face was stained with blood, and bore the marks of exhaustion and pain; but never had it appeared more beautiful than now. The Saviour's visage was not marred before His enemies. Every feature expressed gentleness and resignation and the tenderest pity for His cruel foes. In His manner there was no cowardly weakness, but the strength and dignity of long-suffering. In striking contrast was the prisoner at His side. Every line of the countenance of Barabbas proclaimed him the hardened ruffian that he was. The contrast spoke to every beholder. Some of the spectators were weeping. As they looked upon Jesus, their hearts were full of sympathy. Even the priests and rulers were convicted that He was all that He claimed to be. {DA 735.4} My favorite hymn in the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal expresses similar thoughts about what Jesus endured. Note these profound words:
"My Song Is Love Unknown"
My song is love unknown,
My Saviour’s love to me,
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
O who am I that for my sake
My Lord should take frail flesh and die?
Verse 2:
He came from His blest throne,
Salvation to bestow,
But men made strange, and none
The longed-for Christ would know.
But O my Friend, my Friend indeed
Who at my need His life did spend.
Verse 3:
Sometimes they strew His way,
And His sweet praises sing,
Resounding all the day,
Hosannas to their King.
Then “ Crucify” is all their breath,
And for His death they thirst and cry.
Verse 4:
Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run,
He gave the blind their sight.
Sweet injuries! Yet they at these
Themselves displease, and ‘gainst Him rise.
Verse 5:
They rise, and needs will have
My dear Lord made away;
A murderer they save,
The Prince of life they slay.
Yet cheerful He to suff’ring goes,
That He His foes from thence might free.Verse 6:
Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine:
Never was love, dear King,
Never was grief like Thine!
This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.Amen! Amen! Amen!