The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-10-09
Ehe Sunday School.
BY REV. G. L. DEMAREST, DID.
LESSON FOR OCTOBER II, 1886.
JESUS DELIVERED TO BE CRUCl-
FLED.
"EcoE HOMO"
[John xix. 1-16.]

'The maniiness of CHRIST" ''the man
CHRIST JEsUs'' appears never so striking as
in the scenes of his trial before PLATE. Else
where he appears graciously teaching and
doing his marvellous works of power and
mercy as the representative of COP, and the
fulfillment of Messanic hopes; but here he
stands forth in his own exalted personality,
in sharp contrast with the man in high sta
ton who is Inundated in the position of his
Judge. Here, too, we "behold the Man" in
his bearing and manner, rather than in his
words and works. Yet, when he speaks and
acts, his words and conduct reveal the great
ness of his mind and the poise of his soul.
He is self-possessed, fearless, courteously
dignifed, and SILENT Not one word does he
utter in protestation of his innocence. Never
did he descend to self exculpation. Because
he knew how base and groundless were the
accusations against him, and the ferocious
determination of those who madly pursued
him, calmly and apparently without effort.
he held his peace, strong in the possession of
his great endowment of mind and heart. He
courteously explained to PLATE the nature of
his claim to be the Son of GoD, the Saviour
of the World, but when PLATE had declared
him innocent and afterwards caused him to
be cruelty scourged, revealing the weakness
of his judicial character, if not, indeed, his
moral sense, he clearly saw how useless were
his efforts, and consequently decided to pa
tiently wait, and silently submit to, his inev-
liable fate. He was born into the world to
bear witness to the truth, and now he saw
clearly that the strongest testimony he could
bear to the power of the truth was to die for
it. He was great enough to be willing to die
that the truth might live. Since he died for
the truth, ought we not to live for it?
(1-6) When PLATE was disappointed in his
purpose to grant the customary pardon at
the feast, to JESUS, by the choice of Barabbas,
he ordered that he be scourged, doubtless
hoping thereby to satisfy the Jews with less
than the death penalty, or perhaps by the
cruel spectacle to so awaken their pity that
they might consent to his release. The SOL
diers of the palace, into whose hands he was
driven to be scourged, robed and crowned
him, in mockery, as a king. What they did
was to ridicule and not to torture. To make
the spectacle as pitiable and ridiculous as
possible, Plate now goes out and announces
that he will Immediately bring him out to
them, and by his delivery of him they may
know that he finds him guilty of no crime.
He expects the humiiating spectacle to end
the case. JESUS came forth lacerated and
weak, ridiculously appearing as king, wear
ing a regal robe and crown, and bearing a
sceptre. Plate, continuing the ridicule, in
troduced him to the crowd of Jews, saying,
"Behold the man." But PLATE was again
disappointed in the effect of these proceed
ings upon the Jews. There was no pity in
their hearts for the despised Nazarene, and
instead of being made ashamed of their ac-
cusation, their indignation was aroused to
noisy demonstration and they shouted, Cru
cifyl crucifyl'' They were not to be thwarted
by any such cunning expedients.