Hebrews 13:11-13 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.… It is called Christ's reproach in sundry respects: as — 1. The union that is betwixt Him and His Church. So as the reproach of the body or of any member thereof is the reproach of Christ Himself. 2. The sympathy which is betwixt Christ and every of His members. He is sensible of that reproach which is cast upon any of them (Acts 9:4). 3. The account which Christ hath of the reproaches of His saints; He doth account them as reproaches cast upon Himself. 4. His undertaking to revenge such reproaches and wrongs as are done to His members (Romans 12:19). 5. The cause of the reproach which is here meant, and that is Christ Himself, a profession of His name, a maintaining of His gospel, and holding close to His righteousness. In this sense an apostle calleth sufferings in such cases Christ's sufferings (1 Peter 4:14; Acts 5:41). 6. That resemblance that is betwixt the reproaches of saints and Christ.This reference of reproach to Christ in this phrase, "His reproach " is for limitation, direction, consolation, and incitation. 1. It affordeth a limitation, in that it restraineth it to a different kind of reproach, which is Christ's reproach. It is not every kind of reproach that can be counted a matter of glory, wherein a man may rejoice; but Christ's reproach. I may in this case say of reproach, as the apostle doth of buffeting: "What glory is it, if when ye be reproached for your faults, ye shall take it patiently?" (1 Peter 2:20). 2. It affordeth a direction in showing how we ought to bear reproach, even as Christ did; for we are in this case to look unto Jesus, who despised the shame (Hebrews 12:2). 3. It ministereth much comfort, in that no other thing is done to us than what is done to our Head before us. Herewith doth Christ comfort His disciples (Matthew 10:25; John 15:20). 4. What greater motive can we have to incite us willingly and contentedly to bear reproach than this, that it is Christ's reproach? If honour, if profit may be motives to incite us to a duty, these motives are not wanting in this case. What can be more honourable than to be as Christ was? and if we be reproached with Him here, we shall enjoy with Him hereafter a crown of glory; what more honourable? what more profitable? (W. Gouge.) Parallel Verses KJV: For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. |
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