The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-03-23
Jesus CruCified and Buried.
Luke. xiii: 1888.

OF the people; in Lariu, the language OF the
government; in Hebrew, the language OF the
scholar and OF the cccesastic
REBlkE VERSES 50, 40 AZ ,--Onc OF the male.
factors, doubtless Influenced nv the mockelv OF
the chief priests and soldiers. rallied Oh Jesus.
lie appears TO have known something OF the
claims OF Christ, and therefore proceeded to up.
braid Him for tsmely submitting, calling upon
Him to use His power TO deliver himself and
those who were with Him. II was one of the
lowest conceptions OF the NazJrene. But the
other maleiactor rebuked his associate. admitting
that they were criminals suffering Justly, aud
urging that Jesus was innocent. "DoSt thou not
fear Gody' he inquired. "hre You sunkcn 80
low that You cannot perceive the glory of Him
who hangs the cross between us? Will You
place Him in the same list with us? Will you
lit up your voice with upbraiding in the hour
Of His suffering? will you presume to ask HIM
what lie ought not TO grant--to Use His power
to deliver from iusticeI" The maloiactor's words
revealed some nobility OF character. He was
the only one who appeared in defense OF Jesus
and by this act he rose superior TO priest and
soldier and to that vast multitude thrsting Tor
blood.
PROMISE NeIses a., 43). Having administered
IcpIoof to his fellow in crime the cruc,fed male.
and defended He saw in Him his only hope
Death was not lar distant. and the future was
dark and full Of fears, There seems to have
come suddenly TO his mind a conception OF The
larger and more exalted mission OF Jesus, as one
able to save even beyond the grave. Faith
springs up and he eNclaims; Remember me
when Thou comesi into Thy kingdom" There
has been much diversity OF opinion concerning
the meaning OF this prayer Without doubt,
al In IL th.ra
intention OF the dying thief to commit his soul
20 the Savior. His cry was not in vain (John
vi: 81 The reply OF Jesus was u OF comfort:
To-day shall thou be with Nc in paradise" This
illustrates the extreme reach OF mercy. Man may
find pardon in the last hour OF life. And yet
this is not a ground Tor pIocrastination. IL is
evident that, though criminal, the man was
not deeply sunken in sin. speaking OF those two
maleisctois a quaint writer remarked that Zone
was near 10 heaven, yet turned aside to hell,
while the other was near TO hell, hut turned to
gain the paradise OF Cod
PHENOMENA Verses u, ij, IO),--ThIec hours
after the nails pierced the hands aud feet OF
Jesus nature took on lis somber garb, expressive
of sympathy with lis Lord. Though the sun
stood in the meridian, Ills face was yeiled and
Ills light Withdrawn. II was not an eclipse, as
some have cndcayoIed to show. but a supernatural
shutting in OF the orb OF day. The whole land
, was cnveoped In darkness tor three hours until
the ninth hour, as the Jews reckon time. or .
O'Clock IN the afternoon The earth quaked
the rocks were rent aud tombs were opened
(Matt. YXyi; 5l.52l. The veil OF the temple,
drawn across the most holy place, was rent from
the top 20 the bottom, signitying the taking
| away OF the ceremonial Of the old dispensstion,
which was wall Of partition between Jews
| aud Gcntiles. 20 that forever after man might
come boldly "a a throne AZ grace. These phen.
omcna cast CONSERVATION into the hearts OF an,