was too good to tear. The dice were ready in the
pocket, one of the helmets would serve as dice-box; and so "they parted
His raiment among them, and for His vesture they did cast lots. These
things therefore the soldiers did."

It was probably during this byplay that our Lord uttered the first cry
of the cross, and entered on that work of intercession, which He ever
lives to perpetuate and crown. He thinks, not of Himself, but of
others; is occupied, not with His own pains, but with their sins. Not
a threat, nor a menace; but the purest, tenderest accents of pleading
intercession.

When was that prayer answered? Seven weeks after this, on the day of
Pentecost, three thousand of these people, whom Peter described as the
murderers of Christ, repented and believed, and in the days that
followed thousands more, and a great company of the priests. That was
the answer to this intercession. When we see our brethren sinning a
sin not unto death, without realizing its full significance and
enormity, if we ask God, as Jesus did, He will give us life for those
that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death, and concerning
that we are not encouraged to pray. "I obtained mercy," said the great
apostle, "because I did it ignorantly in unbelief."

II. "_Woman, behold thy Son; son behold thy mother._"--The second
saying was about His mother. His cross was the centre of bitter
mockery. The chief priests, and scribes, and elders challenged Him to
descend from the cross, pledging themselves to believe if He did. The
crowd caught their spirit with contemptible servility, and repeated
their words, "Son of God, come down from the cross, that we may
believe." A passer-by called out derisively, "Where is now the boast
that He could raise the temple in three days? Let Him do it if He
can." The soldiers even caught up the abuse, and vented their coarse
jokes on one whose innocence and gentleness appeared to exasperate
them. And the malefactors who were hanged cast the same in His teeth.

Were there no sympathizers in all that crowd to exchange glances of
love and faith? Yes, there was one little group. When Peter left the
Hall of Caiaphas John probably lingered there still, followed to the
bar of Pilate, waited long enough to know how the matter would fall,
and then hastened to the humble lodgings where Mary and a few other
women, in awful suspense, were awaiting tidings. As soon as the mother
knew all, she resolved to