The Cross He Bore: Meditations on the Sufferings of the Redeemer

by Frederick S. Leahy

A series of meditative studies on the Passion of Jesus Christ, tracing his experience from the agony of the Garden Of Gethsemane to the darkness in which he died on Calvary.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian, Christian Living, Devotional, Faith

100 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1996

Reviews

[Michael Dionne]

Second read: Is this my favourite book? This might be my favourite book.

My favourite book of 2023. Please just get this little gem and study the work of Christ on our behalf. I wish there were more studies like this: biblical, pastoral, convicting, and worshipful.

[Suzanne Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very good!

[Bambi Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give it more than five stars. I was fully prepared that it couldn't possibly be as great as others have said, but it was beautiful and drives much reflection and gratefulness. One hundred pages of instruction and beautiful material for meditation on Christ's sufferings due to the author's use of a sanctified imagination (without *speculation*), are what set this book apart. "God forgive us that we have read of Gethsemane with dry eyes."

[Wes Van Fleet · Rating 5 out of 5]

100 pages of beautifully authentic and heart-wrenching prose on the sufferings of Christ. Each short chapter surveys a specific moment from the last week of Christ’s life and death. Each line seems to be packed with power, weight, and beauty. This little gem is worthy of reading and meditating on time and time again.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leahy's musings here are stunning. Unfortunately, the writing style does not do justice to the grandeur of the thoughts he relates. Each chapter is essentially a series of stitched together quotes from other sources. Here's an example:

This Caiaphas now confronted Christ as his judge! Calvin well terms him "this treacherous hypocrite". The church historian, Dr A. M. Renwick, used to ruminate aloud in class about "that strange creature, the wily ecclesiastic!" The godly Bishop Ryle comments that here we have "clear proof that high ecclesiastical office exempts no man from gross errors in doctrine, and tremendous sins in practice. The Jewish priests could trace up their pedigree to Aaron, and were his lineal successors. Their office was one of peculiar sanctity, and entailed peculiar responsibilities. And yet these very men were the murderers of Christ."

Three quotes from three sources in the span of three sentences. Leahy weaves in his own material, but the book would have been easier to read and carried more impact without including so many quotes.

Five stars for the content, three for style.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

At Ligon Duncan's recommendation, I picked this book up to prepare for Easter. I knew nothing about the book or the author prior to reading it, but what a feast for the soul! Thirteen short meditations on different parts of the Passion Week, Leahy's meditations will encourage believers as the sufferings of our Lord Jesus are placed before them with great vividness.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is excellent. I've read it before but a series of 13 brief meditative chapters surrounding our Lord's passion. They make for an excellent little devotional series along with Bible reading prior to Easter.

[Marci A. Ferrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a powerful little book that walks you through the sufferings of Christ on His way to the Cross. Mr. Leahy gave insights that I had not seen before. Great read anytime of the year.

[Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will be an at least an annual read. Excellent.

[Matt Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really good! Best read slowly with time to think and savour.

[Jordan Shirkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, insightful, beautiful meditations on the work of Christ on the cross from a reformed perspective. Leahy uses a lot of (good) quotes, but at times this is distracting due to the small size of the book and freuqency of citing others.

[Ben Hegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The hype around this book is real. It is a classic. It is even better that it was authored by a man who was from the same part of the world as I and who ministered in a denomination very theologically close with my own. A tremendous survey of our Lord's travails at and on the way to Calvary. I devoured it in one sitting. I will read it again slowly another time. As you read you get a real sense of the agonies of Calvary and at times it moves you to worship. A lot of quotes are scattered throughout, which helps. A tremendous book. Highly recommended!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book is amazing! I think it is worth reading each year leading up to Good Friday! Truly edifying, convicting, and encouraging. I’m only sorry I waited so long to read it!

[Miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book unmade me

[Travis Bodine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this book highly enough!

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good meditations to be read during the Lenten season.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to read during Lent. The author explains many aspects of the Cross and the crucifixion magnifying the glorious work of our Savior. Nothing new here but enlightening for me. Not heady but very accessible. I will read this again. Highly recommend!

[Stephen Mccollum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book. It is an incredibly helpful and poignant walk through Jesus' last days on earth. This book is the type that ought to be read on a regular basis.

[Michael Flippin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful meditation on the cross and the necessary sufferings of Christ.

[Josh Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re-read this book a few times a year. If you are ever feeling cold in your walk with the Lord, read this book and let the truths presented soften your heart to the work of Christ.

[Sarah Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥”The incarnate Son, who fully shares our humanity, he learned the cost of obedience. He never needed correction. Now he learned what it meant to be obedient to the death of the cross.”
🔥”The Christ who had refused to share the secret of his riddle with the wicked, maintaining a firm silence before Caiaphas, when put on oath would solemnly swear that he was the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
🔥”God would have his Son die for his people so that they might live; Caiaphas would have Christ die in order to be rid of him.”
🔥”the Lord’s messiahship was absolutely God-centered. Jesus accepted the cross out of motive I of love for God even more than, and before, he accepted it because His live for man. I’m dying, as in all else He did, He hallowed God’s name.”
🔥”Adam had disobeyed knowingly, with all his senses clear. The ‘last Adam’ must obey willingly and with a clear mind”

[Prabhav Reddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cross He Bore: Meditations on the Sufferings of the Redeemer is a series of 13 very helpful meditations on the cross. In the introduction, the author says, “I have selected certain passages which will help us meditate on what the saviour endured for our salvation.” I think he succeeds in helping us linger and dwell on the cross. As he says, “If our meditation on the cross be meagre, can our love for the Saviour be great?”

My only regret is that I didn’t pick it up earlier in the lent season. I recommend it highly!

[Matthew Prydden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This excellent little book is an out-flowing of the author's own meditations on the sufferings of Christ and can only be fully appreciated if the time is taken by the reader as well to meditate on the thoughts and observations collected and shared by the author. There is a lot here to be challenged by, lots to be convicted by, lots to cause a sense of wonder and awe; and lots to cause you to slow down and simply gaze upon "the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me".

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the evenings we read this short book aloud a chapter at a time. With obligations, it took us a month to complete. It won’t take you that long and yet, it gave us time to contemplate what we’d read. At the end of each chapter my heart was full. The book was full of deep insight and quite moving. Our hearts were lifted up to the glory by love of Christ! Our advice: Get it! Read it! Be filled with awe and thanksgiving.

[David Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great, brief, deep devotional for the days leading to Good Friday. Leahy’s writing forced me to slow down and gaze at each stage of Christ’s passion. “He died for me; he made his righteousness mine and made my sin his own; and if he made my sin his own, then I do not have it, and I am free.” (Luther). That’s why Paul boasts in the Cross.

[Scott Ristau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief, deep reflections on Christ’s experience in the final hours of his earthly life. An excellent resource to meditate on what Christ has endured for sinners in the days leading up to Good Friday and Easter.

[Kyler Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

“All this has taken place, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled” (Matt. 26:56). I can’t recommend this resource enough. Wonderfully and thoughtfully written for the reader to meditate on the sufferings of the Savior.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leahy writes so concisely yet so richly on the cross. This little book expertly walks the line of awesome mystery and thoughtful meditation. Simply profound, head and shoulders above most other similar works.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

JC Ryle said of Christ’s experience in gethsemane, “it is a depth which we have no line to fathom.” Leahy has done marvelous job helping the reader to contemplate the cross and events leading up to it. It is imaginative and refreshing.

[Anna Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easter read I finished late. Great read. “He grieved for me, who had no cause of grief for himself; and, laying aside the delights of the eternal godhead, he experiences the affliction of my weakness.”