THEOSISAugustine of Hippo
Let us turn our attention to our Head, Christ Himself. The experiences of many martyrs are noteworthy, but none radiate as brilliantly as the Head of martyrs; let us witness through Him the trials they faced. He was shielded from a host of malevolent forces, as God safeguarded Himself, the Son, and the humanity He took on, in defense of His flesh. He embodies both the Son of Man and the Son of God; the Son of God in the likeness of God, the Son of Man resembling a servant, possessing the authority to lay down His life and to take it up again (John 10:18). What harm could His adversaries inflict upon Him? They could destroy the body, but not the spirit.
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Notice this: it would have sufficed for the Lord to encourage the martyrs with words alone if He had not substantiated His message through His own actions. You are aware of the throng of wicked Jews and the multitude engaged in wrongdoing. What wrongdoing? The very pursuit to eliminate the Lord Jesus Christ. He questioned them, saying, "So many good works have I shown you; for which of them will you kill Me?" (John 10:32). He bore the weight of their ailments, healed their sick, proclaimed the kingdom of heaven, and did not remain silent about their sins, which made Him an offense to them rather than the Healer through whom they were restored. In their ingratitude, like fevered men ranting against their healer, they conspired to eradicate Him who came to save them; as if they sought to challenge whether He was a true man who could perish or whether He transcended humanity and would not succumb to death. The sentiments of these same individuals echo in the wisdom of Solomon: they declared, "By the most vile death let us condemn Him; let us question Him, for there will be honor in His words; for if He is indeed the Son of God, let Him rescue Himself." Let us therefore contemplate what has transpired.