The Detroit times., 1910-11-19


Austria, Russia, Great Britain, the
United States. Fancy that after
such a parade. mimic though IL might
appear. the adOred one should so to
the temple and execute long.neglect-
ed law and. I'm thus exercising his
religious rights, suppose that he
should drive out the money-changers
and merchants from the outer pre-
cincts az their chief religious Cathe~
dral! What would be done to such a
person today? DO we not know that
I'm the most civilized lands he would
be arrested and imprisoned, and In
the more savage lands he would be
beaten or executed? When, therefore,
We view the situation from this stand
point We lose any spirit of antagon-
ism which might have been ours; e
turns 10 sympathy that a religious ma
ton should allow itself TO get into
the hands OF politicians TO such an
extent.
Brought Before caiaphas.
II was very courageous on the. part
OF ST Peter that after having smitten
on the car of the High Priests ser
want Though the wound was healed
by jesus, he followed his master in
to the court of that high-priest 10 see
what would be done. The arraign-
ment was at night although 1t was
contrary TO Jewish law to try a pris-
oner at night for any serious offense.
But there was an excuse. This was
n special case: haste was necessary,
because whatever would be done must
be done quickly; the very next day
the unbelieving officials perceived
that Jesus had great influence with
the common people. They believed
Him to be a brilliant but harmless
fraud lie had committed no crime
bat lie was disturber OF the peace,
and they felt fully justified in taking
His life. The Feast OF Passover was
az hand and would last a week and
Il would be contrary to their law that
any execution should take place dur
ing that week. Besides, they feared
the amount OF influence which Jesus
might exercise during the week, when
there would be from one TO two mil
lions OF people in and around Jerusa-
lem from all over Palestine. They
had already determined that their
action must be short, sharp and de
cisve. This was decided before the
arrest was made. They were ready
and waiting at that midnight hour to
carry out their murderous designs,
for the good of their nation, as they
thought.
The examination was merely a pre-
liminary one TO get together such evil
dence as at the morning Tribunal
could be rushed through rapidly at a
prearranged session.
He Was Charged With 5lasphemy.
They had difficulty in finding
charge. For what had Jesus ever
done except acts OF kindness and the
uttering Of words Of wisdom and cor
rection and hope? Blasphemy was n
serious charge under the Jewish code.
They would charge Him with that as
being the easiest TO prove. He had
said when near the Temple, Destroy
this Temple, and will rear II up in
three days" But He spake of the
temple OF His Body" Some OF those
who heard Him understood Him 10
speak OF the literal temple. This
they charged was blasphemy, because
il took years to build the temple, and
for Jesus 10 rebuild it in three days
would mean claim on His part of
Divine power. But the charge did not
seem sufficiently strong, even for
those who had premeditated His MUIR
der. They wanted something to give
color OF Justice, at least, TO their
findings. SO the chief-priest thought
10 get Jesus TO commit Himself in
their presence and said. | adjure thee
by the Living God to tell us whether
thou be the Christ, the Son of God
Jesus replied that this was true and
that they would yet see Him in heav-
emily glory and power at the right
hand of Divine favor. This, the High
Priest declared, was sufficient proof
OF blasphemy. Behold, now We have
heard His blasphemy. What reply
ye?" And the council answered that
lie was worthy of death The rabble
in the court, hearing the commotion,
felt at liberty TO abuse this prisoner,
as they had done others. They show
ed their contempt of Him by splitting
upon Him. They derided Him By
shifting Him and saying, Prophesy,
tell who smote thee He was revil-
ed vet reyiled not again"