126. The Bitterness Of The Cross.

They shall be in bitterness for him. - Zechariah 12:10.

For variety, we add a second outline on the same text.

WHEN the Jews receive Jesus as Messiah, they shall look upon him as pierced and slain: and the first result will be bitter repentance. It is the same with us. Of all sights, a sight of Jesus crucified is the sweetest; but at the same time it causes bitterness.

I. OUR FIRST SIGHT OF CHRIST BRINGS BITTERNESS.

1. For not having known his preciousness before. What a loss!

2. For having slighted such love so long. What crime upon crime!

3. From fear lest he should not be ours after all. This causes a bitter pang, an anxious grief of soul.

4. Sin, its greatness, and its effects, are seen in his cruel death; and this makes us deplore our guilt, and his woes.

5. The wrath of God, its justice and terribleness, are also seen at the cross, and we tremble.

6. Dread of never being forgiven, and a sense that we can never forgive ourselves, are mingled in one bitter draught.

II. OUR CONTINUED SIGHT OF CHRIST WORKS IN US THROUGHOUT LIFE A MEASURE OF THE SAME BITTERNESS.

1. His great love, when better known, brings deeper grief for sin.

2. It inspires a direr dread of grieving him.

3. It creates a deeper regret for our present unworthiness.

4. It inspires a greater horror at man's rejection of him, while we see thousands around us perishing by that madness.

5. It promotes a more overwhelming sympathy with Jesus in his striving against the evil which he died to destroy.

III. THIS BITTERNESS HAS MOST GRACIOUS EFFECTS. >1. It works great hatred of sin, and a tender and careful avoiding of it.

2. It makes Christ very sweet.

3. It makes worldly joys and temptations tasteless.

4. It removes the bitterness of affliction, pain, and death.

5. It prevents the sinful bitterness of anger, etc., at persecution.

6. It has an unutterable sweetness in it. We come to relish repentance, and to feel a pleasure in lowly grief for Jesus.