And what was to be gained by this sacrifice? How hopeless appeared the guilt and ingratitude of men! In its hardest features Satan pressed the situation upon the Redeemer: The people who claim to be above all others in temporal and spiritual advantages have rejected You. They are seeking to destroy You, the foundation, the center and seal of the promises made to them as a peculiar people. One of Your own disciples, who has listened to Your instruction, and has been among the foremost in church activities, will betray You. One of Your most zealous followers will deny You. All will forsake You. Christ's whole being abhorred the thought. That those whom He had undertaken to save, those whom He loved so much, should unite in the plots of Satan, this pierced His soul. The conflict was terrible. Its measure was the guilt of His nation, of His accusers and betrayer, the guilt of a world lying in wickedness. The sins of men weighed heavily upon Christ, and the sense of God's wrath against sin was crushing out His life.

Og hvad var der så at vinde ved dette offer? Hvor forekom ikke menneskers skyld og utaknemmelighed håbløs! Satan indskærpede Frelseren tilstanden på den hårdeste måde: Det folk, der hævder at stå over alle andre ved både timelige og åndelige fortrin, har forkastet dig. De søger at tilintetgøre dig, som er grundvolden, midtpunktet og seglet på de forjættelser, de fik som et særlig udvalgt folk. En af dine egne disciple, som har lyttet til dine ord, og som har været en af de mest aktive inden for din menighed, vil nu forråde dig. En af dine mest nidkære disciple vil fornægte dig. Alle vil de svigte dig. Hele Kristi væsen følte afsky ved denne tanke. At de, som han havde påtaget sig at frelse, dem, som han havde elsket så højt, skulle gøre fælles sag med Satan, dette skar ham i hjertet. Det var en frygtelig strid. Den drejede sig om hans folks skyld, om hans anklagere og hans forræder, skylden i en verden, der lå i det onde. Menneskers synd hvilede tungt på Kristus, og følelsen af Guds vrede over synden var ved at sønderknuse ham.