Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-12-07
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THE PRINCE OF LIFE cRUclFIEp.

lie was WOUNDED 1Or our trlnSGreS.
sion; he was bruised for our iniuui.
ties."-Isa. 53:J.
The trial of Jesus really took place
| shortly after his arrest, but on accoun,
| Of the Law requiring a death sentence
to be passed in daylight, morning
meeting Of the Sanhedrin was ap-
pointed, which, in a perfunctory man.
ner, confirmed the high priests decis.
ion of the night before, that Jesus had
1 blasphemed the Creator when he
claimed that he had come into the
long promised plan that he should re-
deemed Israel and the world from tho
death sentence, that in Gods due time
he might establish the Messianic King
dom for the blessing of Israel and all
the families Of tho earth.
The matter was rushed through lest
the gathered multitudes, who had
shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of Da-
vid.' when Jesus rode upon the ass
five days before, should undertake
again to proclaim him king. No exc
cutiOn could take place during the
Passover week. And if Jesus were
held a prisoner they knew not what
might happen to him or to them. They
had. therefore, but 4 few hours in
which to carry out the plan which they
believed would rid their country of 4
man whom they considered 4 deceiver
and one likely to get them into trouble
With the Government ut Rome.
The Sanhedrin had authority to
judge the people along the lines OF
their religion. but was prohibited from
executing the death penalty. Hence il
was necessary, after the condemnation
Of the Sanhedrin. TO take the case be-
fore PLATE, tho Roman Governor.
Realizing that PLATE would not rccog-
nize blasphemy as q cause for death,
the charge against Jesus, before Plate
was q totally different one, namely
that Jesus was seditionist and raiser
of disturbance; that he claimed to be
a king and that his freedom was in
imical to the ipterests of the Roman
Empire. The foolinhness and the by
pocrisy of such q charge were too
transparent to need assertion. Plate
perceived that for envy they were de-
livcring him-because he and his
teachings were having more influence
with the common people than could be
exercised by tho chief priests and
Scribes. PLATE relieved himself of re-
sponsibility by declaring that since
the home of Jesus was in Gallcc, King
Herod, the Governor of Galilec, should
have the Jurisdiction of the case,
which he was glad to get rid of.
Jesus Before King Herod.
This was an. unexpected difficulty,
but Herod's palace was not far distant
He was glad Of the opportunity to see
Jesus, Of whose miracles he had heard
much. AS he looked at the Master
noble features and behcld in him pur-
ity and gentle dignity, it must have
seemed ridiculous that such n person
should be arraigned as seditionist
and a man dangerous to the interests
of the peace of the country. After q
few haunting words and Njests, the PAL
ace guards took q hand with the one
whom their master treated tlippantly.
They put upon him a purple robe and
n crown Of thorns and Knocked at his
unkingly appearance. The Herod de-
clined to act in the case and sent the
prisoner back TO Plate, perhaps feel
ing that he had had q sufficcncy of
trouble in connection with the behead-
ing of John the Baptist 4 year or so
before. The matter was q joke be.
tween Herod and Pilate-dealing with
the case of man claimed to be so
dangerous that he must die thus, when
he manifestly was SO pure and inno-
cent that the weakest would be safe
with him.
Pilates Perplexity Increased.
PLATE was disappointed when Jesus
was brought back to his court The
case was an unpleasant one to settle.
The prisoner manifestly was innocent
of any crime. yet his accuscrs were
the most prominent men in the nation
and the city over which he had charge
Their good will must DO preserved. If
possible, and they were evidently bent
on the murder of their innocent cap
tive under the form of legality. What
pity it is that religion has been so
often miSrepreSentcd by her votaries
in every age of the world! A lesson
which we should all learn is to search
the motives and intentions Of our own
hearts, that we be not led into the
error of the wicked-into violating the
AASAeo VI otAActS anu kAuS
against God.
Plate heard the accusations, real
lied that there was no truth in them.
and then gave his decision: / find no
fault in Jesus, but. seeing that such 9
commotion has been created, consid
or it necessary in the interests" of
peace to satisfy the unrighteous de-
mands of the clamoring multitude. I
will therefore have the prisoner whip
ped, although l acknowledge he is not
deserving of punishment. The whip
ping will be in his own interest
as we'll as in the interest of the peace of
the city for by satisfying the clamor Of
the multitude the life Of Jesus will be
spared. AS political decisions go, this
was very fair decree. Magistrates
recognize that absolute justice is not
always possible in dealing with i'm
perfect conditions.
But the rulers would not be salts.
fled with anything short Of Jesus
death. The rabble was exhorted to
shout, Cruelty him. Cruelty him, II
seemed impossible for Plate to appre-
ciate that such frenzy could be
aroused against so innocent q person
So he inquired, What evil hath he
done? But the answer was, Crucif,
him. Alas, how human passion car