Christ's enemies had demanded a miracle as evidence of His divinity. They had evidence far greater than any they had sought. As their cruelty degraded His torturers below humanity into the likeness of Satan, so did His meekness and patience exalt Jesus above humanity, and prove His kinship to God. His abasement was the pledge of His exaltation. The blood drops of agony that from His wounded temples flowed down His face and beard were the pledge of His anointing with "the oil of gladness" (Heb. 1:9.) as our great high priest.

Kristi fjender havde forlangt et mirakel som bevis for hans guddommelighed. De fik et bevis, som var langt større end noget, de havde søgt. Medens grusomheden nedværdigede hans plageånder til noget umenneskeligt, som lignede Satan selv, så ophøjede Jesu sagtmodighed og tålmodighed ham til at stå over menneskeheden og bevise sit slægtskab med Gud. Hans nedværdigelse var pantet på hans ophøjelse. De blodige smertens dråber, der fra hans sårede tindinger flød ned over hans ansigt og skæg, var pantet på, at han skulle salves med "glædens olie" (Hebr. 1,9) som vor ypperstepræst.