Christ Spit on by Slaves

William Cunningham was one of the foremost Scottish theologians of the 19th Century. In his very rare volume of sermons he has one particular section on the humiliation of Christ that is very moving. Cunningham observed:

He had been worshiped as God, raised infinitely above the highest archangel. His infinite power and wisdom were no longer put forth so fully and so palpably to promote his own happiness and comfort, to protect Himself from His enemies, and to advance His own purposes: He became frail, and helpless, and dependent. The meanest could insult and the meanest could injure Him. He had once been placed far beyond the reach of sorrow and suffering; now He was liable to misery and death,–and He did suffer and die. Once the highest of created beings could not approach Him without the profoundest adoration and reverence; afterward the lowest of menials and the most abject slave might, and did, spit upon Him, and buffet Him.1

This description of the vast difference between our Lord in glory and our Lord here upon the earth He created strikes at the heart of His humilaiation. The last part especially carries great weight. “Once the highest of created beings could not approach Him without the profoundest adoration and reverence; afterward the lowest of menials and the most abject slaver might, and did, spit upon Him, and buffet Him.” Oh what humiliation our Lord Jesus Christ endured–all for our sins, for our rebellion against Him.

In addition to this volume of Sermons, Cunningham also left us several very fine volumes on historical and Reformational theology. You should definitely check out this small work, this important historical work, and this masterpiece”. No library would be complete without them.

[1] William Cunningham Sermons from 1828 to 1860(Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1872) p. 106