The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-11-19

peror and then all their claims for
imperial favors would be discounted
and they would be rated as a nation
OF rebels.
The riding OF Jesus into Jerusalem,
| just before the Passover, on an ass,
after the manner OF the kings or ls'
rael and surrounded by a multitude
shoutin. "Hosanna 10 the Son OF
David who cometh in the name of the
Lord" capped the climax, 80 10 speak.
and convinced these unbelieving
Jews. politicians, occupying religious
Offices, that II would be far better
that one innocent man should die
than that the whole nation should be
turned into turmoil and wrecked by
the Romans in consequence. How
many American preachers, judges, Of
ficials, etc, would in this enlightened
day be inclined similarly to decide
such matter. And is not this the
policy which always prevails In mon
arches? Fancy such a commotion in
the capital of Germany. Italy, France,
Austria, Russia, Great Britain, the
United States. Fancy that after
such a parade, mimic though 1t might
appear, the adored one should 40 to
the temple and execute long-neglect-
ed law and, in thus exercising his
religious rights, suppose that he
should drive out the money-changers
and merchants from the outer pre-
clncts OF their chief religious Cathe-
dral, What would be done TO such q
person today? Do We not know that
in 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-
is mwhich might have been ours: IL
turns TO sympathy that a religious ma
ton should allow itself 10 get into
the hands OF politicians TO such an
extent
Brought Before Calaphas.
IL was very courageous on the part
OF St Peter that. after having smitten
of the ear of the High Priests ser
want Though the wound was healed
| by Jesus). he followed his master in
TO the court of that highpriest to see
what would be done. The arraign'
ment was at night, although II was
contrary TO Jewish law to try pris-
oner at night for any serious offense.
] But there was an excuse. This was
a 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 He had committed no crime
but he was a disturber OF the peace,
and they felt fully justified in taking
His life. The Feast of Passover was
at 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-
cisive. 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 5Iasphemy.
They had difficulty in finding a
charge. For what had Jesus ever
| .,
uttering of words of wisdom and cor
rection and hope? Blasphemy was a
) serious charge under the Jewish code.
J 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 IL up in
three days" But He spake of the
temple of His Body Some of those
who heard Him understood Him to
speak OF the literal temple This
they charged was blasphemy, because
, it took years TO build the temple, and
for Jesus to rebuild it in three days
would mean a claim on His part OF
, Divine power. But the charge did not
/ seem sufficiently strong, even for
i those who had premeditated His muir
: der. They wanted something to give
NOlOl VI JubllNGs at lCoobs W AAClA
: findings. SO the chief-priest thought
: to get Jesus to commit Himself ir
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 ye have
: heard His blasphemy. What reply
ye?" And the council answered that
: He 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. Prophosy
tell who smote thee. He was revil
: ed, yet reviled not again
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