The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-05-15
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
MAY 10.
Lesson Text: "Jesus Before Pilate,"
Mark xv., l-15-Golden
Text: Mark xv.,. 5.
commentary.

I. "And straightway in the morning the
chief priests held consultation" The
DEVILS servants are very quick and very per-
seyering-they put the Lords servants to
shame. The disciples could not watch one
hour, but these servants Of satan watched all
night In their hatred Of Him who loved
them. Then in the morning they consum-
mated their wickedness There isa morning
coming, however, when the tables Will De
turned. See Ps. Xix, IA; lisa. viii, 20, X.
v. and compare Dan. vi, 1924.
2. "And PLATE asked Him, Art Thou the
| King of the Jews2 And he, answering, said
unto him, Thou sayest it." The wise men
| from the east bare witness that He was King
| Of the Jews even when He was babe (Matn.
H., }. Nathaniel testified to the same very
early in His ministry (John l., 49), and
Gabriel stated It very plainly before his LIS
birth Iuke l., 32,33). Notwithstanding all
the scofing Of Jews and gentiles OF those days
! or these days, the time draweth nigh when
all Nations shall see 1t.
8. 'And the chief priests accused Him OF
many things, but He answered nothing"
| There was no truth in their accusations any
more than in those of the false witnesses
whom they had previously summoned. 80
there was nothing for Him to answer. When
we are falsely accused, let us learn from Him
| to commit our way unto the Lord and trust
| Him to manage it for US. He had confessed
| that He was the Christ, and knowing what
awaited Him He calmly awaited their dis
| posal Of Him.
4. "And plate asked Him again, saying:
| Answerest Thou nothing2 Behold how many
| things they witness against Thee" PLATE
| did not know that there was no truth in any
of the charges which they brought against
Him, and therefore could not but have Deen
| surprised that He had pothing to say. Plate
was not accustomed to cases Of this kind, he
had never seen prisoner like this and was
! greatly perplexed by His manner.
5. .But Jesus yet answered nothing, so
| that PLATE marveled." He was oppressed
and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His
mouth Elsa. ill.,, y. He was probably COM
muning with His Father. Nothiag will help
us to be quiet under false accusations and in
the presence of enemies like tAe realized
presence of the Lord and that %a are ever be-
| fore Him.
6. "Now, at that feast he released unto
them one prisoner, whomsoever they de-
| sired" Jesus knew all this, but there was
nothing in it for Him, for He Enew we'll
| that His only release would be death. He
was not seeking release, but to fulfill all
| Righteousness, and as He had Otter foretold
| chapters viii, 81; TX, 81; <, S9, S) He knew
i that He was about to be slain
7. "And there was one named Darabbas,
which Law bound with them that had made
| insurrection with him, who had committed
murder in the insurrection." Here Is real
| child of the devil brought into the story
with the Holy One of God. Already He be-
| gins to be numbered with the transgressors
! az If He. too, was transgressor. When cut
to the heart by being thus numbered with
sinners Gf 1t should ever be your expert
ence), think on Him.
8. "And the multitude, crying aloud, be-
- L., kN lN "a done
| unto them" Probably anxious to get the
man they wanted released, and afraid lest
PLATE might attempt to release Jesus.
Q. "But PLATE answered them, saying.
Will We that I release unto you the King OF
the Jews?" By comparing the parallel ac-
counts this seems to be Pilates sixth attempt
to release Jesus. For the first five zee John
xviii, %, to xix, IA, and Luke xiii, 4-l6.
See his threefold testimony to His Innocence
In John viii, SO; xix, 4-6. See in Math.
xvii, 10, his wife's plea that he should let
Him 90. This King of the Jews was the
heaviest and most perplexing case that Fl
late ever had on his hands. So It Is still:
10. 'For he knew that the chief priests had
delivered Him for envy" See how Joseph's
brethren hated and envied him (Gen. Xxxy11..
S. 11). Israel envied Moses and Aaron (Ps.
cvi., l6). Wrath is cruel, and anger IS out
rageous, but who is able to stand before
enyy?'' (Prov. xvii, ~. In Gal ", 21,
envy is followed by murder as one OF the
works OF the flesh. Let US hate every ap--
pearance Of 1t in our hearts as we should
hate the devil himself.
II, but the chief priests moved the peo-
ple. that he should rather release Barabbas
unto them" Who can estimate the guilt OF
those in high places who move the people
against Christi The worst we have to con
tend with to-day Is from the professed friends
of Christ who while saying beautiful things
abour Him, yet move the people against HIS
atonement and His precious blood, which
alone can save US from bell (Lev. xvii. I'D.
IL. "And PLATE answered and said again
unto them, What will ye then that I shall
do unto Him whom We call the King OF the
Jews?" Or as in Math. xvii, %, What
shall I do then with Jesus, who Is called
Christi" 1t is not aquestion for us 10 ask
another's opinion about. We are responsloie
to Him for our treatment OF HIM. fua.e
knew He was innocent and should nave res
cued Him from His tormentors, but the
weakness Of PLATE is overruled to accom-
plish the Lords purpose. Bad for Pilate all
the same. o.s-.
13. WAnd they cried out again, Cruelty
Him." They preferred Barabbas to Jesus,
murderer to Saviour darkness to light. II
is plainly written that 'all that IS IN the
world is not OF the Father, but Is OF the
world, QQQ luo llOAuSutP
world is enmity with God" John H., 10;
James w., 4), yet how many are deliberately
choosing the world instead Of Christ! they
would not say as these did, "Crucify Him.,
but they do say that they prefer the world
and its pleasures. u.,.
IA. .'Then PLATE said unto them. why
what evil hath He done? And they cried
out the more exceedingly, Cruelty Him:
In connection with this verse we ma IN
Luke xiii, %. that PLATE said, Il nave
found no cause of death in Him." But the
people will not listen, they thirst Tor HIS
blood. satan has control OF them, ana No
will kill Jesus If he can. What he failed TO
do In the garden OF Gethsemane be will 40
now, and God will let him, for this Is hls
hour and the power of darkness. o
Is. :'And so PLATE, willing to content inc
people, released Barabbas unto them ana
delivered Jesus, when he had scodrged HIM,
TO be crucifed." See the contrasts. Pilate
contenting the people. Jesus pleasing the
Father; Barabbas the guilty, Jesus the guilt
less; the people crying out; Jesus :ns slien!: ::
How cruei, unjust and perfectly iiendlsh II
all was! How can VIC have fellowship Wltn
such a world? Let US honestly, face the
question, Am / seeking to please the people
or TO rlease God? (Gal. l., 1O.)-Lesson