The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-11-25

John, the evangelist. tells us that
when Jesus was arrested he was led
Nrst to Annas the father-tn-iaw of
Caiaphas the high priest. Aunas MINI
\ self had been high priest. but haa
been deposed by the Roman authori-
ties, who had put his son-in- law III
his place, The Jews. however. had
4 never consented TO the change, though
they were unable to resist ii. and had
continued to look up to Annas as
practically the ecclesiastical head OF
i the nation. Annas was the head of
an ambitious and arrogant Saddpcean
family which at this time held all
tho more important offices, and II Is
said derived considerable gain from
the traffic In the courts Of the temple,
s which Jesus had 80 severely rebuked.
1t Is believed by many that John ~;
1928 Is an account Of the examina-
tion before Annas. According to this
4 account the high priest demanded of
Jesus an account of his teaching and
OF his disciples. Jesus refused. saying
that he had always taught openly,
and his questioner could easily find
out all about him II he WISHED " where
upon an officer standing by gave him
q cruel blow. III / spake evil" said
Jesus calmly. testify to il; but If well.
why do you smite me? Why should
Annas then sent him to caiaphas, the
legal high priest
The Lesson Text in Everyday Dress.
After the preliminary hearing be-
fore Annas Jesus was led away to
CAiaphas, who had hurriedly assem-
bled the scribes and elders compos-
ing the Sanhedrin. No words can fit
tingiy characterize the trial which fol-
lowed. In the first place, no trial
: Ara T1,.4Tx i. rtrtz.
was q make believe. Jesus had been
already condemned. and ."the chief
priests and all the council sought for
wftnesses,'' not to find out II the
charges brought against him were
true. but TO find charges to bring
against him. In the second place,
. the court before which he was brought
had no authority to condemn him TO
death. In the third place. even II
8 r had such power. it was held at an
Il unlawful time: no trial Of capitai
Offense could take place by night.
" nat these were trifiing obstacles In
y the way OF men whose hearts were
AUet on murder. They knew that II
"a tina decision of the council had no
legal weight. IL would yet have great
4 moral weight with the crowd. aud
they felt confident that II they could
~ to PLATE with the crowd at their
The plan WAS to condemn Jesus by
4 Gnlss testimony. but no one could
~ found to give any evidence On
II which serious charge might be
y rested. AT last. however, after much
effort, two men were found who were
willing to testify falsely. These men
charged him with speaking deroga-
tory to the temple. which, II seems
n was regarded by the Jews as bias
- VI. y fft h is. q
laration at the first cleansing OF the
temple: Destroy this temple (refer-
ring to the temple of his BODY and
IN three days / will raise 1t up.
y When they had finished Caiaphas ask
ed Jesus If he had anything TO an
b swer to their testimony. Jesus held
his peace. Exasperated by the silence
Z OF the prisoner. the high priest cried.
II require you to answer me on oath.
4 Are you---is this your claim--are you
{ the Messiah. the Son OF God?" That
brought matters to an issue Il am, =
4 aid the prisoner firmly. He could
NOT deny himself. Moreover" he
continued. thereafter you shall see
Il me acting as the predicted Messiah
you shall see me sitting on the right
hand of power and coming in the
clouds Of heaven TO judge the world"
n Calaphas had conquered. but instead
4 10 hide 1t by affecting great horror
of the prisoners blasphemy, Tear
q an4 his garments as an expression Of
q holy Indignation. he turned to the
council and said: You have heard
4 the blasphemy; what need have we Of
further witnesses? What think you 2"
Il And they answered, lie Is liable to
4 death"
IL was not yet day and the court
u fnr
not formally condemn man In the
uight--leaving the prisoner In the
d hands Of the officers and servants.
n Coarse men always abuse their SUI
" periory when by misfortune they nave
N fallen into their power. and the low
q slaves who had fallen to the ground
81 before Jesus in Gethsemane now
vented their cruelty on him In the
most brutal fashion.
The Heart OF the Lesson.
According to a popular interpreta-
Nh hon Jesus standing here before the
shfRh priest II for all the world like a
III pOOr helpless lamb standing meekly
A before its shearers There are sickiy
Nj nontimentalists who can even see the
Y Dltiful look in his eyes. 1t is an aboffa-
4sSnable distortion OF 1saiah's wonderful
11c&ure. The prophet says that our
MI Lord. in the hands Of his enemies, Is
N ukA 4 lamb Ia that he submits with
n oUt d struggle or cutlery. he does not
& nay that he is like "A lamb in help
F 1eeauess lack OF spirit, apparent IN
ss8x Inference, or pttiable plight; he does
M not say that his meekness IL OF sort
Il Nth the meekness OF lamb
Jesus stands before the high priest
& - q sheep before his shearers, but
a not because he IL helpless. II Is not
Isss the submission OF weakness, but the
IN xUaignation OF strength He Is not an
NJ object OF pity. heaven pity the man
Who tnagines that he is The high
Is an object Of pity. and Peter
III aid the rest but not Jesus. In all
I'M rat assembly he alone rises superior
4ss1o his surroundings.