He was baptized as man, but He remitted sins as God. He was baptized not because He needed the rite of purification Himself, but that He might sanctify the element of water.
He was tempted as man, but He conquered as God; indeed, He bids us be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world.
He hungered, but He fed thousands; indeed, He is the bread of life that gives life, and that is of heaven.
He thirsted, but He cried, "If any man thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." Indeed, He promised that fountains should flow from those who believe.
He was wearied, but He is the rest of those who are weary and heavy laden.
He was heavy with sleep, but He walked lightly over the sea. He rebuked the winds, He made Peter light as he began to sink.
He pays tribute, but it is out of a fish; indeed, He is the King of those who demanded it.
He weeps, but He causes tears to cease.
He asks where Lazarus was laid, for He is man; but He raises Lazarus, for He is God.
He is sold, and very cheap, for it is only for thirty pieces of silver, but He redeems the world, and that at a great price, for the price was His own blood.
As a sheep, He is led to the slaughter, but He is the shepherd of Israel, and now of the whole world also. As a lamb He is silent, yet He is the Word, and is proclaimed by the voice of one crying in the wilderness.
He is bruised and wounded, but He heals every disease and every infirmity.
He is lifted up and nailed to the tree, but by the tree of life He restores us; indeed, He saves even the robber crucified with Him.
He is the Light of the world, but He wraps the visible world in darkness.
He is given vinegar to drink mingled with gall. Who is He? He is the One Who turned water into wine, Who is the destroyer of the bitter taste, Who is sweetness and altogether desired.
He lays down His life, but He has the power to take it again. He dies, but He gives life, and by His death He destroys death.
He is buried, but He rises again. He descends into hell, but He brings up the souls.
Saint Gregory Nazianzus, Third Theological Oration, 20.
Icon of the Last Judgment from an Orthodox Monastery in Kosovo
