They saw the four soldiers carry away His raiment, to divide it between them. But when the soldiers found that His coat, or under-robe, was seamless and woven in one piece, they cast lots for that; so that the Scripture, written hundreds of years before, might be fulfilled, "They parted My raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots." These things, therefore, the soldiers did. Then the rulers who were standing by mocked Him, saying, "He saved others, why did He not save Himself and come down from the cross?" Dear children, do you know why Jesus did not come down from the cross? "He knew how wicked man had been, He knew that God must punish sin; So, out of pity, Jesus said He'd bear the punishment instead. "And so He died! And this is why He came to earth to bleed and die: The Bible says He came from heaven, That we might have our sins forgiven." Perhaps some of you may think that the cruel nails held His dear hands and feet so fast that He could not come down? But that was not the reason—oh no! It was love that made Him stay there—love to you and to me. He stayed there that He might die for us, that His precious blood should be shed to pay the price for our sins. The two thieves who were crucified on either side of Jesus, joined with the Jews in reproaching Him; but after a while one of them began to think of Him as He hung there in all His patience and love, and he was sorry that he had spoken against Him. He rebuked the other thief, and told him that they both were condemned justly, "but this Man hath done nothing amiss," he said. And then we can picture him, turning his poor suffering face towards the loving Saviour who hung beside him, and we can almost hear him saying, "Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom!" And Jesus answered and said, "To-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise!" Ah! He was the King of Love! Not a reproach to that sinful man; not a word that now it was too late; nothing but love and cheer and tenderness. "Verily I say unto thee, To-day, thou shalt be with Me in Paradise!" Oh, does not this tender Jesus make your heart grow warm with love? Though He was racked with pain, He could cheer one who was suffering by Him; though He was dying for the sins of the whole world, He could save one single soul who turned to Him in faith. God sent a great darkness over all the land from twelve o'clock till three o'clock, while His holy Son was dying on the cross. No one can tell all the depth of woe and loneliness which Jesus suffered while the load of our sins rested upon Him; but the more we understand it, the more we shall love Him for His great love. "When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride. "Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast Save in the death of Christ my God: All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.