These words have never failed to touch the hearts of the lovers of Christ since the Apostle John recorded them, even though the proud Roman Governor probably uttered them in mockery. We love to look beyond the mockery, and to see the Holy Son of God standing there, in all His beauty. Though He is wearing a crown of thorns, and a Royal robe of mockery, yet still His beauty and majesty shine through all. Brother Blane has captured something of the significance of the scene in his beautiful poem,

HE SHALL BEAR THE GLORY

We cannot over-emphasise the importance of the manhood of Christ. Everything for us depends upon it. As God He possessed almighty power, yet it was man that had sinned, and it was man that must pay the price. This made the incarnation of Christ an absolute necessity. No Angel could accomplish our redemption, even God in His majesty could not accomplish our redemption, because God does not die, and angels do not die, but man and the creatures do die, as the direct result of Adam’s sin. It was because of this that the Lord Jesus was made a little lower than the angels, so that he may suffer death, and thus secure the eternal salvation of lost men. However in saying this we have no desire to in any way minimise His deity, because though He became a real man in every sense, (though a sinless man), yet He never ceased to be God. He never ceased to be what He was, because of what He became.

We need to remember that nowhere in the Scriptures does it ever say, "Behold the babe", or "Behold the young child", though such a sight ever fills our hearts with wonder, yet it was as a Nam, that He accomplished our salvation, a young man of thirty three and a half years.

Pilate’s statement "Behold the man" fills our hearts with wonder and worship. Never since the fall of Adam has there been another to compare with Him. He was man as God intended man to be. Sinless, perfect in every detail, patient, gracious, and harmless. He alone met every Divine requirement to fit Him to be our perfect substitute. Though He stood before the crowd, (many of whom He had doubtless fed or healed or helped in some way), crowned with thorns, and clothed in a royal robe, yet His true Royalty could not be denied. He was calm, and dignified, also uncomplaining, though He had endured hours of the most humiliating treatment, from the hands of men who at this moment had power on their side.

Now because of what He has done, and because of the power that is available to us, the power that works in us, the power of the Holy Spirit, it is possible for you and me to be like Him. What surpassing grace is this! Let us gladly yield ourselves wholly to Him, so that His characteristics may be formed in us, His features may be seen in our lives! Soon we shall be with Him, and like Him forever, (wonderful prospect), but now even here in this wicked world we may be like Him. Let it be so!

He must ever be unique Blessed be His holy name!