JESUS FALLS UNDER THE CROSS.—Luke 23:27, 28.
SECOND READING.
"Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews."—John 19:19.
OVER the head of the blessed Lord on the cross was a tablet, with the words, "Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews;" and on each side of Him was another cross, with a robber upon it.
There He hung patiently, while the chief priests and Pharisees passed by, mocking and laughing at His pain, and crying out, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him."
Even the robbers at first joined in the cry; but by-and-by one of them began to feel that He who was so patient and so great in all that agony must truly be the Son of God; and he rebuked his fellow, and said, "Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom!" And the Lord answered, "To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise!"
