The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-16
THE sUNDAY-sCHOOL LESSON.
March IL, 1901; Luke xiii, 1896
Jesus and PLATE.


The procurator had come up from his official
residence in Caesarea to keep the peace in the
great concourse of Passover week. What TO
him did all the Oriental splendor Of the great
Idumean's costliest palace. which he occupied
on this occasion, amount TO. when, at any mo-
ment, under its vermilion ceilings and over its
tessellated floors. the lava-streams Of popular
insurrection were apt to sweep? . : I'm
agine, then. Pilates feelings when, the feast
being at its height and the city crammed TO it's
utmost capacity with a heterogeneous throng
from every quarter. there appears at the portal
of his palace a mob. headed by the high priest.
and all worked to the highest pitch of religious
frenzy. 1t is aggravating to the hast degree. Yet
fear of another appeal to Rome, whose fixed
policy was the Cancellation of the provinces, re-
quires, at this juncture, that these imperious
petitioners shall not be driven unheard from the
judgment-seat. " PLATE makes with iii grace
his first concession. He places his ivory judg-
ment-seat on the dais (Gabbatha), covered with
its tessellated pavement" outside the judgment
hall. Before him, with hands tightly bound,
stands the object of this religious rury. Court
having opened, the judge superciliously demands
the substance Of the accusation. The prompt
answer is that the very fact they have brought
the accused TO the governor, is evidence Of the
aggravated character OF his offense. Petty crimes
they could punish themselves; capital, Rome
only. Ignoring what is said, PLATE bids them
take him and punish him according to their law.
This brings. as was expected. the humiIiating
confession that they have lost power TO inhict
capital punishment. Again the accusation is de-
manded, and the reply extorted that Jesus is a
deceiver, encouraging the Withholding of tribute
and proclaiming himself king. . -. A moment
later PLATE is announcing officially the limo
cence of the accused. This raises a tumult. Ac-
c~usations like fiery arrows fly at Jesus as 10 a
target. PLATE. used to fierce Oriental recrimina-
ton. marvels at Jesus silence. The name
Galilee. iterated by the mob as the chief scene Of
Jesus %sedition, suggests the expedient or send
Ing the accused for judgment to Herod Antipas,
now in Jerusalem attending the feast. The ruse
fails. Jesus, robed in white, the Hebrew royal
color, as If in ridicule Of his kingship. is re-
turned to Pilates Jurisdiction. . . . What
shall 1 do. then. with Jesus? - asks the faded
governor. Then for the first time ring out the
fateful words. Cruelty him" one more protest
and appeal: "why crusify an innocent man? Let
me scourge Him only Like a wild sea, the
vociferation broke about the Gabbatha. PLATE
had heard that sullen roar for six consecutive
days against his palace walls at Caesarea, when
the same throng protested against the profanat-
ing presence of the silver eagles. He strives to
shrive his soul of guilt by washing his hands in
sight of all. The Jews accept the onus for them
selves and their descendants. . . . Direct
from the awful scourging. still decked with
mock insignia in which the vulgar and cruel
soldiers had arrayed him, his Iife-bIood giving
a new color TO the notified pavement on which
He stood-Pilate, as a last appeal, cries: BE
hold the mani Is not this suffering and humilia-
ton enough?' But the only reply is that fateful
word, 'Crucifyi' Then cruelty him If Won
Will. But he is innocent OF ofense against any
law OF which 1 am cognizant.' The priests take
the other horn Of the dilemma: HE has violated
a Jewish law. the penalty of which is death. He
affirms himself the Son OF Cod" AT that word
PLATE takes Jesus into the judgment hail. and
asks Him the meaning Of this term. ..Son Of
God" The matter is so completely beyond
Pilates comprehension that Jesus attempts no
explanation PLATE marvels at His silence ex-
claiming: Il have power to cruelty or free Won -
To this Jesus answers: You have power only
because God permits you TO use it. You are
guilty because you condemn me. knowing me 10
be innocent; but those are more guilty who de-
nyered me to you, as they sin against greater
light" The procurator cites Herod.s
substantial acquittai, and reiterates his own be-
lief IN Jesus Innocence. Still another expedi-
ent occurs to the vacillating judge. 1t is Gus
tomary TO release at this festival a prisoner
condemned to death. IF they choose. ne viii re-
lease Jesus" But they. instigated by the priests
ask for the release OF the son OF the rabbi a
murderous zealot. who. with two others. that
day were 70 suffer the extreme penalty. With
the collapse Of his last shift comes the ominous
warning Of his wife. . . . The haras.pd ftdga
was on the point even now. so late. OF acouiffi5e
the accused. when the desperate prosecutor uses
the last arrow In his culver when he cries: LET
this man 90. and you are not Caesars friendt7
behold your King said PLATE. We have no
king but Caesar they retort. Cruelty" Shall
1 cruelty your King - have no kim buf
CAESAR resounds once more. So ENDS H. ~
drawn battle in which the life OF Jesus was A.
stake. . . Plate orders Him to the cross.
uIUVN ~ n
plate Is a conspicuous type OF the time-s.rver
His ruling motive was to keep his place. To do
this. II necessary. ne was willing TO condemn
the innocent. . : Yet 10 some degree he
showed a Romans proverbial regard FOR law and
justice. He demanded the accusation and evil
dence. . Pilates time-serving brought him
small reward. He eked out his official life a Few
years: but. on the complaint Of these very Jews
whom he sought TO placate by such a sacridce
OF honor. he was finally depOsed and exiled. Hi.
name will 20 down 10 the end OF time I'm Geenesf
infamy, as IL Is repeated in every land and
language In the imperishable creed. ..Crucifed
under Pontius Plate Tnat cloud
hooded mountain. up whose somber heights I
gazed from the balcony OF my inn at Iucerna
may not have been the actual scene OF Pilates
suicide. as tradition says II was. but IL seems a
fitting memorial OF ore OF the most OdlOus char
acters OF history. . . Take from the GAL
OF which were suggested by the life OF Jesus
and art would be irretriyeably Impoverished. an6
gospel narrative still yields inspiration for The
pencil Of genius. as Munkacsy's Christ Before
plate shows. Art thou King - How
unlikely. so It teemed 10 the procurator. proud