How little did they know that the Almighty was at that moment setting Him as a king on the hill of Zion; giving Him “the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession”!  How little did they know that their badges of mock royalty were at that moment converted into the signals of absolute dominion, and the instruments of irresistible power!  The reed which they put into His hands became “a rod of iron,” with which He was to “break in pieces his enemies,” a scepter with which He was to rule the universe in righteousness.  The cross which they thought was to stigmatize Him with infamy, became the ensign of His renown.  Instead of being the reproach of His followers, it was to be their boast and their glory.  The cross was to shine on palaces and churches throughout the earth.  It was to be assumed as the distinction of the most powerful monarchs, and to wave in the banner of victorious armies when the memory of Herod and Pilate should be accurst, when Jerusalem should be reduced to ashes, and the Jews be vagabonds over all the world.

These were the triumphs which commenced at this hour.  Our Lord saw them already in their birth; He saw of the travail of His soul, and was satisfied.  He beheld the Word of God going forth, conquering, and to conquer; subduing, to the obedience of His laws, the subduers of the world; carrying light into the regions of darkness, and mildness into the habitations of cruelty.  He beheld the Gentiles waiting below the cross, to receive the gospel.  He beheld Ethiopia and the Isles stretching out their hands to God; the desert beginning to rejoice and to blossom as the rose; and the knowledge of the Lord filling the earth, as the waters cover the sea.  Well pleased, He said, “It is finished.”  As a conqueror He retired from the field, reviewing His triumphs:  “He bowed his head and gave up the ghost.”  From that hour, Christ was no longer a mortal man, but “Head over all things to the Church,” the glorious King of men and angels, of whose dominion there shall be no end.  His triumphs shall perpetually increase.  “His name shall endure forever; it shall last as long as the sun; men shall be blest in him, and all nations shall call him blest”

Such were the transactions, such the effects, of this ever-memorable hour.  With all those great events was the mind of our Lord filled, when He lifted His eyes to heaven, and said, “Father! the hour is come.”

From this view which we have taken of this subject, permit me to suggest what ground it affords to confide in the mercy of God for the pardon of sin; to trust to His faithfulness for the accomplishment of all His promises; and to approach to Him, with gratitude and devotion, in acts of worship.