Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-12-08
and one likely TO ger them mro rrvu-


the people along the lines OF their reli-
gion, but was prohibited from execut-
ing the death penalty. Hence 1t was
necessary. after the condemnation OF
the Sanhedrin, to take the case before
Plate the Roman Governor. Realiz-
ing that Plate would not recognize
blasphemy as a cause for death, the
charge against Jesus, before Plate,
was a totally different one, namely.
that Jesus was seditionist and raiser
Of disturbance; that he claimed to be
king and that his freedom was In
imical to the interests of the Roman
Empire. The foolishness and the n.y.
pacrisy Of such, charge were too
transparent to need assertion. PLATE
perceived that for envy they were de-
livering him-because he and his teach
the common people than could be exer-
cised by the chief priests and scribes.
PLATE relieved himself Of responsible
ty by declaring that since the home of
Jesus was In Galilee, King Herod, the
Governor OF Galilee, 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 dis
tant. He was glad of the opportunity
to see Jesus, OF whose miracles he had
heard much. AS he looked at the Mas
ter's noble features and beheld In him
purity and gentle dignity, 1t must have
seemed ridiculous that such person
should be arraigned as a seditionist
and a man dangerous to the interests
Of the peace Of the country. After
few haunting words and jests. the pal
ace guards took a hand with the one
whom their master treated flippantly
They put upon him a purple robe and
crown Of thorns and Knocked at his
unkingly appearance. Then Herod de-
clined to act In the case and sent the
prisoner back to PLATE, perhaps feel
ing that he had had sufficiency Of
trouble In connection with the bellead
ing Of John the Baptist year or so
before. The matter was a 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 PerpIexity 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 accusers were
the most prominent men In the nation
and city over which he had charge
Their good will must be preserved, If
possible, and they were evidently bent
on the murder OF their innocent cap
tive under the form of legality What
q pity II is that religion has been so
often misrepresented by her votaries
In every age Of the world! lesson
which we all should learn is to search
the motives and intentions Of our own
hearts, that we be not led into the
error Of the wickcd-into violating the
rights Of others and thus fighting
against God.
Plate heard the accusations, realized
that there was no truth in them, and
then gave his decision: / find no fault
In Jesus, but, seeing that such COM
motion has been created, l consider il
necessary In the interests of peace to
satisfy the unrighteous demands Of
the clamoring multitude. / will there
fore have the prisoner whipped, al
though l acknowledge he is not de-
serving Of punishment. The whip
ping will be in his own interest, as
well as in the interests of the peace
Of the city, for by satisfying the clam
or Of the multitude the life Of Jesus
will be spared. AS political decisions
go, this was very fair decree. Magis-
trates recognize that absolute justice
Is not always possible In dealing with
imperfect conditions.
But the rulers would not be satisfied
with anything short Of Jesus death.
Hhe rabble was exhorted to shout,
Cruelty him! Cruelty him! 1t seemed
impossible for PLATE to appreciate
that such frenzy could be aroused
against so innocent person. So he
inquired, What evil hath he done?
But the answer was, Cruelty him!
Alas, how human passion can ignore
every principle of righteousness To
add to Pilates perplexity, his wife
now sent him word, Have nothing to
do with this just person, for have
had a horrible dream which connects
itself with him.
As last resort PLATE caused Jesus
to be brought to a prominent place
where the multitude could all see him
and then he cried out to them, Behold
the Mani" See the character of the
man you are willing to cruelty. Note
that he has most kingly features, such
as none Of your race possess-nor 9th.
ers. Would you cruelty the very best
sample Of your race? Consider; be
reasonable. Behold the Man! 1t has
for years been a custom with you that
the Government at this season release
c.