an obscure place for His nativity, in order to conceal His glory, but He chose to be suspended aloft on a cross for His greater ignominy. How different are the ideas of men from those of God! " My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways My ways, saith the Lord." (Is. lv. 8.) We attempt to conceal whatever tends to disgrace us, but we display to the world whatever is calculated to attract its attention and commendation.
III. Christ suffered at the most solemn festival of Easter, at the time when the city was unusually crowded with strangers, in open day, at noon. The choice of place and time were Christ's, for " He was offered, because it was His own will " (Is. liii. 7), at the time and the place which He selected, and with the companions whom He had chosen. This He did in order to teach us by His own example to condemn every temporal consideration and worldly idea.
TUESDAY.
Crucifixion of our Lord. — II.
I. When all things were ready for His crucifixion, Christ is thrown down upon His cross by His executioners. Observe how this second Isaac is " laid on the altar upon the pile of wood" (Gen. xxii. 9), offering Himself a sacrifice to His eternal Father. See how He stretches out His hands to the places where they were to be nailed to the cross, to atone for Adam's stretching forth his hand to the forbidden fruit. Mark the streams of blood running down upon the ground, and learn, as the Apostle exhorts you, " to crucify your flesh with the vices and concupiscences." (Gal. v. 24.)
II. How excessive must have been the torments which Christ endured in His hands and feet, in consequence of
