The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-05-24
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MAY 2e.

%. "Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas."
Where the Sanhedrim, under his leader
ship, had condemned Jesus to death on the
charge OF blasphemy. But as they were
forbidden by Roman law to put any one to
death, they could not accomplish heir pur-
pose without the aid Of the Rom: n authori-
lies. Therefore they brougk their pris-
oner to Pilates hall Of judgment. Plate
We know as one of the most unjust, vio-
lent, cruel, and dangerous of seourges, one
who was truly what his name slgnifed, the
Staying 'Javelin' OF the unhappy nation.
29. "Pilate then went out unto them"
From the judgment hall, into the open
court, where was an elevated tessellated
pavement; and as was the custom, the
chair of state was brought out for him to
sit upon as Judge. "What accusation bring
ye against this man2" Dr.. Deems 'empha-
sizes this question thus, "What accusation
had reason for accusing them. They were
the guilty party.
80. "If He were not q malefactor (evil-
doer), we would not have delivered Hin up
unto thee" They knew they. had no good
charge that would stand under the Roman
law, ,and therefore they wanted Him to
take their word for 1t that He was worthy
Of death, and order the execution. They
took the position that they were the judges,
81. "Take ye Him. and Judge Him ac-
cording to your law" And OF course limit
the punishment to what you can infict.
They had to accuse Him OF political crime
20 secure even ordinary attention at the
hands OF tho Roman governor. "lt Is not
lawful for us to put any man to death"
Thus theyshowed their true colors. They
wanted not justice, but the death Of Jesus.
80. "That the saving Of Jesus" (John -:
~. H. L., at
efforts to destroy Jesus, were fulfilling His
own prophecy. The accusation they
brought was threefold. involving the charge
OF treason. the greatest crime known to
Roman law. Cd Seditious agitation; (2)
prohibition OF the payment OF the tribute
money; and (3) the assumption Of the sus-
picious title OF King OF the Jews Uuke
%: q. or these () and (2) were notori-
ously false, but were inferences wrongly
drawn from His teaching. The third (O
was wholly untrue In the sense they meant
PLATE to understand 1t.
33. "Then Plate" taking up the charge
which might be construed as treason, goes
back to his throne in the hall. and called
(summoned) Jesus. The Jews OF course
were not present, as they refused to enter
the hall, "Said unto Him, art Thou the
King OF the Jews?" as these Jews accuse
you OF claiming.
81. ,"Sayest thou this thing Of thyselt,
or" etc.; |. O., do you ask this question
from the stand point OF Roman, referring
to secular dominion, and the setting up OF
an opposition kingdom which would be
treason, or from the standpoint OF the
rightly understood.
nes5ed s5 Paas Am nnjysTsa 5sSS Mss ssssaaRs
Of Your hopes and prophecles?: "Thine
own nation and the chief priests have de-
lIvered Thee" Those over whom You
claim to be King repudlate You. "What
hast Thou done?" Explain the whole af-
tair clearly to me, what have You done to
arouse such enpity?
SO, "My kingdom" Jesus implies that
He Is really q, King. "Is not OF this world"
Its source aud character are unlike those
OF any earthly kingdom. He had made no
claim to civil authority Or. Hoveyl. and
had no rivalry with Rome. III My King
dom were OF this world, then would My
servants fight" Therefore 1t cannot, as
have said, be OF this world. This was
simple appeal to facts. His disciples were
not organized to defend Him, but only as a
school to learn the truth.
81. "Art Thou q King then?" Do You,
poor, helpless Jew. without friendship
You claim to be a King? "Thon sayest." ;"
Your statement is true. am King. "To
ia's KIEs' eH"1 twas 0 born" NY For this cause
came into the world" Claiming pre-
existence. God had sent Him, His Son,
into the world for this purpose. 1t was the
plan of God. He was a King OF far nobler
lineage than Plate or Caiaphas. That l
should bear witness unto the truth" This
was equivalent to His reiening as King,
for 1t was the way he established and car.
rled on His Kingdom. The strength OF
Cnsar's mpire Is over the bodies OF men,
this is over their hearts. every one that
is Of the truth heareth My voice." To be
OF the truth is to draw ones inspiration
from II, Just as to be Of God Is to be con-
trolled by influences coming from Him,
SO. "Pilate saith unto Him, what Is
truth?" And turned on his heel and did not
wait for an answer. "He went out again
to the Jews" And rendered his verdict,
IT find In Him no fault" or crime. Hear
ing Galllee mentioned as part OF the coun-
try where Jesus had stirred up people,
PLATE next attempts to escape from his
perplexity by delivering Jesus up to Herod.
Herod and bis men OF war mock His claims
to be king: and array Him In royal robes,
and send Him back to Plate. PLATE again
summons the chief priests and elders, and
tells them that Herod agrees with his de-
cislon that Jesus has done nothing worthy
| or Q6atQ. ne SILL 10 dlIuiu W i0A0oSo 1AAAH
The people loudly call upon him to release
the accustomed prisoner.
SO. "Ye have q custom, that should re-
lease unto you one at the passover.
custom betting the nature Of the feast.
"Will ye therefore," The choice lay with
| them.
40. 'Then cried they all again." At the
instigation OF the rulers (mark 10: ~.
mot this man, but Bnrabbas.. "a robber"
and murderer duke %: 19. Matthew
says he was celebrated prisoner. At this
juncture messengers came from Pilates
wife declaring her dream, and entreating
him not to condemn Jesus (Matt. n: 19).
Tlus PLATE was moved to 10 right. Pllate
took water, and washed mis- hands publicly
before the people, thus expressing in SYM
Dol what he uttered In words: II am inno-
cent Of the blood OF this Just person; see
We to it, But this action and these
words in no degree removed the RESPONSE
bilty and the guilt from Pilates soul.
The soldiers then In jest dressed Jesus
In q robe, representing the purple robe
worn by kings. They put on Him crown
OF thorns. They put a rod in His hand for
sceptre, They smote Him, Knocked Him
in every insulting way. PLATE once more
appeals to the pity OF the Jews by BRING
ing Jesus out before them and saying:
"Ecce Homo, Behold the Man." Az
length PLATE yields to tho clanors OF the
Jews, when they declare practically that
they will accuse Plate to Caesar as an
enemy II he spares traitor. PLATE,
therefore, delivered IN Jesus to be cruel
fed.