Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-08

INTRoDUCTION.-wi that refine
ment which the Christian religion promotes
the evangelists have given very meager
counts of the crucifxion. One must turn
to profane history for the horrid details of
this brutal mode of punishment inflicted
by the Romans and other eastern people.
Passing out of the city by the western
gate, Jesus was followed by a motley crowd,
the soldiers and slaves (executioners) NOV
Ing on in an orderly way; the chief priests
who had instigated the arrest; the multi
tude, some before, some behind delighting
in cruelty; few women. His truest
friends, making loud demonstrations of
grief, and at least one Of the apostles
John, xix:26). Two others, robbers and
thieves, were also led to expiate their
crimes (Matt., xxvii:3S. The procession
halted on a slight elevation. called 1.-The
place of the SKULL" the usual place Of an
execution, known in Hebrew as Golgotha
John, xix:1O and in Latin. Calvary. There
between the two thieves Jesus was nailed
to the cross.
MOCKERY-(verses 50, SO. 80. Many
descend SO low in the spiritual scale that
they cannot appreciate gentleness. Any
exhibition Of patience and love is ascribed
by them to weakness. While Jesus was
hanging upon the cross those who stood
ABOUT CONSIDERED tnat tney nau tTfumpneQ.
The previous claim of divinity Matt, xvii:
49, and Messiahship was Viewed with con-
tempt. If Thou be the King save Thyseh."
they cried. They promised ~ Deiieve in
Him If He would descend from the cross.
They challenged Him, Calming that He
could not save Himself. They passed away,
wagging their heads and railing on Him
Matt, xxvii39), insulting Him with ac-
tions Of hatred. These things were done
by the chief priests, scribes and elders.
the soldiers participating. While these
scenes Of shame were being enacted the
populace of Jerusalem stood beholding,
and Jesus. who might have summoned ie-
gions of angels Matt, xxvi:53) from the
skies, endured the insult, bowed His head
and calmly waited for the end. The little
band Of faithful followers, n their utter
helplessness must have been filled with
unutterable anguish. 1t was the darkest
hour of inhuman pride and wrath.
SUPERSCRIPTrON-tv 3Sl. All
the evangelists declare that a superscription
was placed over the head of Jesus. but they
do not agree concerning the language. In
our lesson we have This is the king of the
Jews" in which the first evangelist inserts
Jesus after the copula CMatthew xvii, 80,
while the second Gospel omits Luke's first
two words mark XIV. 26). and the fourth
Gospel prefixes Jesus Of Nazareth John
xix, Id to Marks titles. The essential part,
THE king of the Jews" appears in all. The
writing was by order Of Plate John xix,
2O before the cross was lifted to its upright
position. 1t being customary to announce
the offense of a criminal. To the Jews the
words were offensive, for they recognized
Jesus as the Messiah, put to death by the
Roman government, proclaimed also to the
world. What motive prompted Plate? Some
have conjectured that the spirit of God in
fuenced him; that he was convinced of the
exalted character of Jesus, or that he in
tended to rebuke the Jewish people for their
mahce. Whatever, his motive. the words
We're true. The .ong expected King, destined
to attain universal sovereignty, was de-
n rod n ha Ia 1p,rl Of fI,n pla.
In Latin, the language of the government;
in Hebrew, the language Of the scholar and
Of the ecclesiast!c.
REBUKE-(Verses 30, 40, 41) One of
the malefactors, doubtless Influenced by the
mockery of the chief priests and soldiers,
rallied on Jesus. He appears to have known
something of the claims Of Christ, and
therefore proceeded to upbraid Him for sub
hitting SO tamely, cal ing upon Him to use
His power to deliver Himself and those who
were with Him. 1t was Of the lowest con-
ceptions of the NaZarene. But the other
malefactor rebuked his associate, admitting
that they We're criminals suffering justly
and urging that Jesus was innocent .Dost
thou not fear God?" he inquired. Are you
sunken so low that you cannot perceive the
glory of Him who hangs on the cross be-
tween US? VIII you place Him in the same
list with us? Will. you lift up your voice
with upbraiding in the hour of His suffer-
ing? VIII you presume to ask Him what He
ought not to grant-to use His power to de-
liver from justce?' The malefactor'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 multi
tude thirsting for blood.
l.tOMISE-(Verses ~, 49,. Having ad-
ministered reproof to his fellow in crime the
crucified malefactor turned to Jesus, whom
he had admired and defended. He saw in
Him his only hope. Death as not far dis
tant, 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 exclaims, Remember
me when Thou contest into Thy kingdom"
There has been much diversity of opinion
concerning the meaning of this prayer.
Without doubt, whatever else was inclnded
thief to commit his soul to the Savior. The
reply of Jesus was full of comfort To-day
shalt thou be with Me in paradise" This
IL ustrates the extreme reach of mercy
Man may find pardon In the last hour of
life. And yet this is not ground for pro-
crastination. It Is evident that, though a
criminal, the man was not deeply sunk in
sin. Speaking of these two malefactors a
quaint writer remarked that lone was near
to heaven, yet turned aside to hell, while
the ather was near to hell, but turned to
gain the paradise of Cod
PHENOMENA Oversees A. 49, 49,
Three hours after the nails pierced the
hands and feet of Jesus nature took on its
sober garb, expressive of sympathy with
its Lord. Though the sun stood in the
meridian His face was yelled and His light