Few, indeed, were able to recognize Him, and to perceive the Divine through its day covering. And this, perhaps, was hardly to be wondered at; for he appeared not only as a man, but as a " man of sorrows." For, the purpose for which He had appeared was not solely to show Himself to men—that was but a secondary end; the primary one was to accomplish the great work of their Redemption. On the nature and manner of that work, it is not necessary here to dwell: suffice it to say, that in order to its accomplishment, it was requisite that the conscious human nature which had been assumed, should pass through fiery trials, deep temptations, and mental and bodily sufferings, far surpassing any that ordinary created man can endure. Thus "the man Christ Jesus," as he stood before the Jews, seemed to them not only as a mere man like themselves, but even, in some respects, as inferior to themselves, and as one capable of exciting little interest in their eyes: for the marks of grief and inward warring were upon that pale and melancholy countenance. As the prophet had long before Divinely foretold, so it was: "Who hath believed our report?—He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.—Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. But He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed."[1] Yet, in spite of those appearances, they might have known Him, if they had had the spirit of true discernment:
- ↑ Isaiah liii. 1—5.
