THE SCAPEGOAT

“They took Jesus and led Him away.” John 19:16

Jesus had been in agony all night. He had spent the early morning at the hall of Caiaphas. He had been rushed from Caiaphas to Pilate, from Pilate to Herod, and then back to Pilate. He had little strength left. Neither food nor drink was given to Him. They wanted His blood. They led Him out to die, loaded down with the cross.

What can we learn as we see our blessed Lord led away? Can we see the truth foreshadowed by the scapegoat of Lev. 16:10? The high priest put both hands on the head of the scapegoat, confessed all the sins of the people, and asked God that those sins be taken from the people, and laid upon the goat. Then the goat was led into the wilderness to symbolize the carrying away of the sins of the people.

We see Jesus brought before the priests and rulers and pronounced guilty. God Himself imputes our sins to Him. “The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). “He made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21). We see the great Scapegoat, the substitute for our guilt, being led away. He carries on His shoulders our sin, represented by the cross.

Beloved, can you feel assured that He carried your sin? As you look at the cross on His shoulders, does it represent your sin? There is one way to tell. Have you laid your hands on His head, confessed your sin, and then trusted in Him? If so, your sin no longer lies upon you. It has been transferred by blessed imputation to Christ. He carries it on His shoulder as a load heavier than the cross.

Do not let this picture vanish until you have rejoiced in your own deliverance and adored the loving Redeemer on whom your iniquities were laid and carried away.

Chas. Spurgeon

Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.

Isaiah 1.18