The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-03-23
Sunday School
Lesson
for
March "a.

INTRODUCTION With that refinement which
the Christian religion promotes the evangelists
have given very meagcr account of the cruel
txion. One mus: turn TO prorane history ior
the hoirid details OF this brutal mode Of pun
ishment inflicted by the Romans and other cast
elm peoples. Passing out OF the city by the
western gate Jesus was followed by motley
crowd, the soldiers and slaves Uhc eXccutioners),
moving on in an orderly way; the chief priests
who had insIigated the arrest; the multitude,
some before, some behind, dclighting in cruelty;
lew women, His truest friends, making loud
demonstrations Of grief, and at least one Of the
apostles (John xix: 26D. Two Others robbers
and thieves, were also led to eXpiate their
crimes (Mstt. xvii: 3s). The procession halt
cd upon a slight elevation, called "thc place
oi a SKULL" the usual place OF execution. known
in Hebrew as Golgotha Dohn xiS: lO, and in
Latin, Calvary. There, between the two thieves
Jesus was nailed to the cross.
MoCKERY (ve,ses 81, 36. 33).--Nany descend
so low in the spiritual scale that they cannot
appreciate gentlencss Any exhibition OF pa
thence and love Is ascribed by them 10 weak
ness. While Jesus was hanging upon the cross
those who stood about considered that they had
triumphed The previous claim of divinity
(Matt. xviii 49, aud Messiahshp was viewed
with contempt. II thou he the Ling save thy
SELF" they cried. They promised TO believe
IN Him ii lie would descend from the cross
Matt. xyvii a2), They challenged Him, claim.
ing that He could not save Himself They passed
away. wdgging their heads and railing on Him
Matt xvii 500, insulting Him with actions Of
hatred. These things were done by the chief
priests, scribes and elders, the soldiers partici
pating. While these scenes OF shame were be-
ing enacted the populace OF Jerusalem stood be-
holding, and Jesus who might have summoned
legions Of angels Matt. Nxvi ~ from the
skies endured the insult, bowed His head, and
calmly waited Tor the end. The little band
of the faithful followers in their utter helpless.
ness must have been filled with unuutterable
anguish. II was the darkest hour oi inhuman
pride and wrath,
SCPERsCRiPTION Verse 3sl.--Al the evan.
gelists declare that supersonption was placed
over the head OF Jesus, but they do not agree
| concerning the language. In our lesson we
| have: "Ths is the King Of the Jews" in
| which the first evangelist inserts Jesus after
| the copuls Matt, xvii: 80, while the second
| Gospel omts Luko's first two words Nia,k Nv:
| 26) and the fourth Gospel prelScs Jesus oi
| Nazareth" (John w: lO to Marks title rhe
essential part, "tho KIM oi the Jews" appears
| in all Tie whiting was by order ot plate
(John xix: 22), before the cross was lifted Ia
| its upright position, il being customary to
| nrounce the ohense Of criminal, To tne
| Jews the words were offensive, for they reoog,
nized Jesus their Messiah, put to death by tho
Roman government proclaimed also TO the world.
| What motive prompted Pilates Some have
| conjectured that the spirit OF God influenced
| him that he was convinced Of the exalted
character OF Jesus, Or that he intended 10 rebukc
the Jewish people ior their malice. Whatever
| his motive the words were true. The long
| expected King, destined TO attain universal son