He had been in agony all night. He faced trials at Caiaphas’s hall, hurried from there to Pilate, then Herod, and back to Pilate. With little strength left, lacking rest or refreshment, they still led him out to die, burdened with the cross. What a sorrowful procession!

It's right for Jerusalem's daughters to weep. My heart, do you weep too? What do we learn from seeing our Lord led forth? We see the truth foreshadowed in the scapegoat.

The high priest placed his hands on the scapegoat, confessing the people's sins, transferring them to the goat, which was led into the wilderness, carrying those sins away forever. Now we see Jesus before priests and rulers, declared guilty. God places our sins on him: "the Lord has laid on him the sin of us all," "He was made sin for us." Carrying our sin on his shoulders, represented by the cross, he is our great Scapegoat, led away by justice. Friends, do you trust that he carried your sin?

When you see the cross on his shoulders, does it reflect your sin? Here's how to know: have you laid your hand on his head, confessed your sin, and trusted him? If so, your sin is no longer on you; it's been transferred to Christ, who bears it as a load heavier than the cross. Don't let this image fade until you've rejoiced in your deliverance and adored the Redeemer who bore your sins.