The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-05-17

International Lesson for May ~, 1896
Jesus before Pilate-Msrk 16'l-l6.

ZI.i-5U Luxe l-So, JOnu ie.%e-so'
TIME.-Eariy Friday morning, April 2, A. ID.
| 30. the day OF the crucifxion.
A HARMONY is OF great advantage here. for
| we study the whole story OF the trial OF Jesus
as found in the combined account given by al
| four Gospels.
LESSON NOTES
l. 1.-The chief priests held a consulta-
tion," etc. This meeting of the San
hedrim was for the formal ratification
of the result reached in the meeting of
the council described in our last lesson,
which could not give a legal sentence
before sunrise. And delivered him to
Plate"
The accusation they brought was
threefold, involving the charge of trea-
son, the greatest crime known to no
man law. ID Seditious agitation; CD
prohibition of the payment of the trib-
ute money; and (S) the assumption of
the suspicious title of king of the
Jews" luke %: 2)-Maclear. ''Of the
three points of accusation, CD was ut
terly false; Cd and (3), though in a sense
true, were not true in the sense in
tended. "A. Carr.
First. PLATE holds an interview with
the Jews outside the judgment hall.
About six o'clock a. IN. (John 10: IA,
which refers to the beginning OF Pr
late's trial, and is according To the Ro-
man notation, like the modern, and not
the JEWISH Jesus within the judg-
ment hall luke %: .; John Is: 2S-32).
Second. Plate holds private con-
ference with Jesus within the pr9tor-
ium. > And PLATE asked him, going
within the courtroom. Art thou the
king of the Jews?" as these Jews ac-
cuse you of claiming. Thou sayest it"
Jesus answer of defense John Is: "a
3S) is that He is King, but that His
Kingdom is not of this world, there
fore lit is inferred) the "perversion of
the people" was not rebellion that
threatened the Roman government.
Third. A second conference of PLATE
with the Jewish leaders is held, outside
the Judgment hall. He publicly de-
clares the innocence of Jesus. And yet
he fears to offend the Jews by releas-
ing him. 3. And the chief priests ac-
cused him of many things" They re-
peated their charges and put forth
every possible argument. Jesus seems
to have been brought out to the Jews
to hear their accusations. b. But de-
sus yet answered nothing" Reply
would be useless to those who had de-
termined to kill Him, no matter what
He said. (See last lesson 80 that
Plate narveled. Matthew says mar
veled greatly" How could He be calm
and silent amid this storm of accusa-
tions? 1t was a silence only possible to
an exalted nature full of self-control.
At this point Plate makes second eff
fort to release Jesus, his first, the dec
larationtof His innocence, having failed
with the Jews. Hearing Galilee men
toned as part of the country where
Jesus had stirred up the people, PLATE
next attempts to escape from his per-
,plexity by delivering Jesus up to Herod,
the tetrarch of Galilee, who was then
visiting in Jerusalem. Herod questions
Him at length, but Jesus refuses to say
Il word Then IIerod and his men of
war mock His claims to be king, and
array Him in royal robes, and send Him
back to Plate. 80 this effort of PLATE
cnds, in failure.
e. nov at that feast be released
was accustomed to release INTO them
one prisoner, whomsoever they de
sired" The choice lay with them.
Z. There was one named Barabbas
lay bound in prison, with them that
had made Instruction. Matthew
says he was a celebrated prisoner.
8. And the multitude crying aloud,
Do as he had ever done. That is, re-
lease the prisoner they had asked. Now
was Pilates opportunity for third
effort for release of Jesus.
8. will We that release unto you
the King of the Jews?" This express
sion twas probably an attempt to enlist
the patriotic feelings of the multitude. !"
10 The reason why PLATE appealed
TO the people directly is now given.
PLATE knew that the chief priests had
delivered (Jesus) for envy" on account
of His influence with the people which
threatened their own power.
IL The chief priests moved the peo-
pie" The leaders caused an upheaval
of opinion, appealing to the fears, preju-
dices and passions of the people. We
learn from MdIJHcW o. 81, oolih io' ~,
that the people made distinct choice
of Barabbas.
IL And Plate answered.: What will
We then that / shall do unto Him whom
We call the King OF the jews" PLATE
asked this question where he had no
right to. He should have asked it of
his conscience, of justice, of right, of
truth, of honor, not of an excited mob.
10. And they cried out again: Cru
city HIM" A tumultuous shout: TO
the cross! to the cross!"
IA. why, what evil hath he done?'
What excuse is there for crucifying
Him? But it was all in vain. They
only "cried out the more exceedingly:
Cruelty Him."
The Jews insisted on the crucifixion,
because they said to Plate that by
their law He was guilty of death, hav-
ing claimed to be the Son of God. This
alarmed PLATE, and he made still
greater efforts to release Jesus. But
when the Jews threatened him with
the charge of treason: IF thou release
this Man thou art not Caesars friend"
Il