The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-20

So Shamefully had they executed Inc Ia !"
Of Moses, taking tho life OF the Innocent
that Rome found 1t necessary 10 deprive
I EXAMiNAT1o N-Following the state
ment of Jewish officials many voices de-
ciared that Jesus was pervertlng the
nation. that He claimed to be King
duke xxili:2). This was the political
aspect of christ's assertion before
Cainphas duke xxi:70,. the blasphemy. as
ance. or this PLATE was obliged to take
notice. Returning to his seat in the judy
lment hall, he summoned Jesus before him
and asked Art thou the King OF the
Jewsf (yerse s3!!.. Jesus met the question
with another, asking whether plate made
the inquiry OF his own accord or fccause
he had been prompted to make 1t verse
80. He must have known why Plate
asked. but He sought the oasis for an
answer to tho first question. that He
might be better understood. An cxplana-
ton would be better than mere nffirma-
ton. Pllate frankly admitted that he
had no personal interest in the case, that
as he was not a Jew he could not be re-
sponsiblc for the charge. that In fact the
chief priests. the countrymen OF Jesus.
had delivered Him. and PLATE only sought
to know his offense Verse 35>.
KINGDOM.-Thc opportunity was thus
afforded for n clear statement of the
case. and Jesus proceeded to inform Pr
late in regard to Himself and His mis-
sion. To remove all fear that he had
any OeSiSHS1 ASdlHSLt tHe Roman governs
ment, He declared at the outset that His
kingdom was not of this world. In proof
Of that fact He said that His followers
would fight II he came to set up an
earthly kingdom. AS He had been de-
llvered to the Jews, and they had not
interfercd. all might know that temporal
sovereignity was not sought. Wersc aG)
But PLATE thrust In again his old ques-
ton. and Jesus admitted that He was a
king, and no came into the world, to en-
LII y Ill ~, I. rt.-&<~ -,
all enter upon choice, thoEe only who love
the truth and hear Him. (Verse 30 In
this recital before an earthly ruler. Jesus
explains as He does nowhere else the
grand design OF His appearance and work
among men. Plate appeared to be con-
fused somewhat with such lofty con-
ception and ended the Interview by ask
ing. What Is truth" (Verse 3s.)
ACQU11rAL.-Th words and manner
OF Jesus made very favorable impress
forth tc the people declaring that he
found no fault in Him. Verse 49, But
the clamor of the mob was raised, as
serting vehcmently against His ministry
in Judea and Gallee. This last reference,
not mentioned by John. prompted PLATE
TO send Jesus to Herod, the tetrach OF
| Gnlilee, who was then in Jerusalem duke
xxiii:O. but Hcrod soon returned the
| prisoner. Plate. then came forth to the
people declaring the Innocence OF Jesus,
| eAIIQ .oaISA1uS 80 u paSIlSdloIy
| according to his custom, to release Him.
| Verse 39.) This suggestion was made
because the multitude, remembering Pl.
| late's habit OF pardon on feast occasions.
had clamored for Bnrabbas (aiark xv:7-S)
! one who had made Instruction and had
committed murder. Deemlng that II Jesus
! had offended against the government ms
| TIE chief priests claimed, he was the
lesser offender, PLATE proposed to sub
| stitutc Him for the other, as one who
would do less harm II set at liberty. A
| very wise suggestion
PItEFl5I3MENT.--T proposal was
| greeted with tumultuous expressions oil
disapproval. mot this man, but Barab.
bas." they cried, (Verse 400 PLATE had
heen Influenced by his Wife. who. be.
cause OF dream, advised her husband
to have nothing to do with the condem.
nation of Jesus Matt. xxvii:19). and or
that account he attempted to reason witt
the people. Repeatedly he offered the al
ternate Luke xxil:2o but each time tn,
reply was the same. Away with this
man." Release unto us, Bnrabbas,' q
have found no cause of death In Him.
SAID Plate, put they drowned his words
evil hath He done?" was the pleading re,
toinder. Yet they cried ont exceedingly
.Let Him be crucihcd," Matt, xxvl:2s
J It was q trying place for heather ruler
the mob; and, vainly attempting to re,
! leve himsalf of blame (Matt. xxvii:2i)
gave sentence of death, delivering tho In
nocent into the hands of officers 10 suffer
by the cross.
4 RETROSPECT.-The backward view
] rests first upon the chLaf priests. as tht
/ instigators and abettors OF dlahollca
| plot against the innocent with vile super
4, stitlon and hypocrltical observance OF {
i national feast, they refused to enter int
the hall of Judgment but they did no
hesitate, In the most splteful manner, Is
4 clamor for the death OF Jesus. In Sc
doing. they were unciyil to the magis
i their demands, At first he was disposed
to deal justly, and adhered to the rule
i established by Yaerius Publicola, thu
emo mar shall be condemned unheard.'
/ Condescending to the people, he fre1uentl!
sought to know the ground of their ar
1 rnignment, but, though convinced of thu
1 prisoners innocense, he was overbornt
/ and made party to ans infamous crime
| But Jesus. despised, sandered, ill-treRt
4 ed maintained His composure, rrapkl,
i confessad Himself king, explained lIis
1 mission. emphas2ad Nhe value of truth
| INDICATED Himself, and gained the faypl
i Of one before whom He stood. Tha
scene in Pilates hall added new lustrt
(, TO the Name!