The National tribune., 1886-10-07
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught By a Study OF the Inter-
national Sunday school Lesson Appointed for
Oct. II. vt. John. 19:1-16.

1t is still our painful duty to study the events
of the last day of our Savior's life. Were the
history not too we'll verified to be doubted, we
would imagine it recOunts deeds too cruel, too
shameful TO be true.
Optimistic theolOgians are they who seek to
make the best showing Of any historic character
they who wish 70 have deeds 50 explained as
to be creditable Is possible to human nature.
Men OF this class try 10 make themselves believe
Plate was not after all quite so bad. So they
intimate his purpose in having Christ scOurged
was to prevent the erucifxiOn Of Jesus. He
hoped the Sanhedrim would become moved
with pity at the suherings of Christ under the
lash, and cry out, Enough; let him CO." The
experiment following this was Pilates PLAN
did not work. The people would not be salts
fed with anything less than the death Of the
claimant to Messiahship.
The scourging was not inflicted by Plate in
person, but by certain Roman soldiers. whip
ping-pOSt professionals. 1t is quite plain the
scourging not with rods but with the
fagellum. This was like the Russian knout.
Several thongs or strips of leather were fas-
tened to a handle of wood. On the thongs
were rows OF leaden balls or spikes Of wood or
bone. The victim was stripped to the waist,
with hands tied and body bent over upon
platform or post. The punishment was very
severe, the body being lacerated and covered
with blood.
Having scourged Christ, the body Of soldiers
proceeded to amuse themselves at his expense.
They knew he was hated of the Jews because
he claimed to be their King. Further, they
knew the claim Of Christ was reasonable
judged of from the Roman standpoint. Let
US play he is King" say they. So they put on
him scarlet (purple) cloak, as though be were
in the raiment of a real King But King.
must have a crown. They make one from
twisted brier bushes or thornsand press it down
about his head, the scratches making way for
streams of blood. Them one cannot be King
without scepter. Finding reed stick they
place it in his palm, pretending it is a symbol
Of royalty. Now we have a King in form.
Subjects own duties to their regal head, rever
ence and obedience and royal acclamations. So
the crowd fall down on their knees in the most
obsequious manner, exelaiming Hail King!"
firing of sport, the soldiers look on Christ as
weak man, self deceived or base deceiver,
and conduct themselves accordingly. They
snatched off the purple cloak. They struck
him over the head with the reed cane. They
spitted on him with utter contempt. They
cuifed his cheeks.
How of the synagog who witnessed such
barbarity! Are their hearts touched? Has
Plate gained his point and satisfied the cruel
demand of the rabble? 1t never pays to COM
promise with evil. The conduct Of Plate was
shameful. We cannot see how ruler, after
luNGSllHdlluR u CHARGE anu unQlnR Ln6 &C
cused innocent, could hand him over for even
flagellatiOn. He could not expect a crowd
fierce enough to demand crucifxion would rest
| content with the whipping of the victim of
their wrath. The contemplate policy prinei-
pie of the Governor of Judea can never be a
success on the long run.
Plate seemed anxious to make Christ as
pitiable an object as possible, and thus try to
melt the hearts Of the rabble into tenderness
.JpSus : led fr0nn the praforiuDn fNf Of =
Mark, 10 10 into the court of Pilates palace,
his face smeared with blood dripping from his
lacerated head and his body trembling from
the scourging his face pale and sad. "See him."
says PLATE. "How much he has suffered Is it
not enough? Why not let him go now, poor
mani"
The priests and leading Jews were determined
Christ must be crucifed. "But," says Plate, " 1
cannot find any fault in him. You cannot
cruelty him by my consent. If you do so, it
must be entirely on your own responsibility"
But the SanhedTim well knew the Limitation
| Of their power as TO capital punishment. Had
| the Jews been an Independent Government,
they would have executed Christ on the charge
/ of blasphemy, in that he claimed TO be the Son
Of God. (Ley., "a: 49, This was a new thought
to PLATE. lie wanted to be careful in his
| treatment of the accused if il were true the
/ criminal were the Son Of God. So he led
Christ into the Judgment Hall (PretOrium),
and asked him as to his parentage. Jesus saw
/ the fcklenesS, want of principle, cowardice,
| political cringing of PLATE, and well knew the
Governor was only killing time and was utterly
| incompetent to understand full explanation
in answer to his question, and hence declined
a reply, and that even though threatened by
| Plate.
Men cannot even do wrong save by the
| strength derived from God. The one most
guilty was Judas. No one intimidated him.
He acted voluntarily. He went to the priests
and offered Christ for sale. He was not urged
on by any great political and personal interest
IL was different with PLATE. He was con-
cerned for his position as Governor. He wanted
TO let Christ go. He would have refused even
| to scOurge only that he imagined he could thus
| appease the wrath of the maddened crowd. He
was the representative of the Roman Govern
ment, and the prisoner was accused as traitor
The opponents of Christ were the leading men
of Judea. There was some apology for PLATE
| as compared with Judas.
Somehow PLATE had tender leaning toward
Christ. He had reports of his wonderful mira
cles which, if true, showed he was an unusual
character. He remembered the warnings oil
his wife. Then he saw in Christ such manli
ness, such sincerity, such beauty of character
that If he could have done so without enragins
the populace he would have released him
(Y. l2.)
What made PLATE finally consent to the cru.
cifxion was the menace of the people that i
he failed to order the execution of Christ they
would at once report the matter to the Roman
Government, ana practically prove that PLATE
himself was traitor He was appointed Gov
ernor on purpose to enforce loyalty in Judea
toward the Government of Cesar. This threat
ening touched PLATE in the most tender place
He could not afford to let Christ 90, and thu.
lose his position and forfeit his influence Al
Rome. The open court of the Governors pal
ace was floored with tesselated marble slabs
aud hence was called the Pavement. The Jew.
styled the room the Gabbatha, which mean!
the elevated place, referring possibly to th,
judgment seat therein. and which would b,
located on a sort of risen platform. PLATE ap
peals once more to the multitude hoping i
may relent. They do not yield but are ever
greatly exasperated at his reluctance. They
would seem to tear him in pieces if he do no
grant an order for the crueifxiOn of Christ
Self is first with him. 1t is more important Il
him that he remain in good standing with TIT
Roman authorities and in popularity with thu
Jewish hierarchy, more important that he b.
accounted loyal to his Office and Government
and continue in the goodwill of his subjects
than that an innocent man escape the cross
than that he do right regardless of persona
consequences.
The fatal moment came PLATE signs thu
decree for the crucifxiOn. Christ is handed
over to the Roman soldiers for execution
was at about 9o'clock Friday morning, in March
A. ID. %.
Never WAIVER in right BE firm in your con
victions. BE not carried away by the masses
Sacrifice personal ease and popularity TO your
sense of Justice. he lOyal to God even III &c