The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1914-11-20
In the Sunday School Class
SENIOR BEREAN LESSON.

any rival of Caesar, as his accusers
charged him. Thou SayeSt." Jesus
acknowledged that he was a king, but
not Of an earthly realm. Compare
John xviii. 36, 81. when he was ac-
cused." The sanhedrin had condemned
Jesus on the charge of %blasphemy, but
no mention was made of this count to
PLATE, for they knew well that he
would ignore it Luke mentions the
threefold charges that We're preferred
| against Jesus: First. he had perverted
the people and led them astray by his
heretical teachings; second. he had for
hidden to pay tribute to Caesar-this
was exactly what he had not done
luke Xxx. 21-2U-and. third. he claimed
to be Christ. a king. but they did not
explain what his kingship implied
duke xiii. q. They twisted the facts
and deliberately introduced falsehood
| with intent to impress PLATE. And
when these lying charges We're being
| made Jesus "anSwered nothing" Here
is another illustration of his ominous
silence. so much SO that the governor
was perpleXed.
Verses 15-21.-A bad choice.
If plate was persuaded the prisoner
was innocent he should have dismissed
the case and upheld the honor of Ro-
man justice. But he was involved in
political complications. and he could
not afford to ignore at least the sec
II charge about tribute payment
without some investigation. When
he, however, learned that Jesus was
from Galilee he promptly sent him to
Herod luke xiii, G-12). When Jesus
was brought back PLATE sought 20 eff
feet a compromise, but they We're aft
er blood and would be content with
nothing but the life Of their innocent
victim. "A notable prisoner called
Barabbas." Yes, they far rather pre-
ferred the release of a criminal who
had been guilty of plumber, robbery and
blOOdshed han to let Jesus go free.
~"Barabbas, or Jesus which is called
Christ According to some versions,
the translation should be Jesus Ba-
rabbas or Jesus the Christ" for tradi-
ton has it that this robber. who was
the son Of a rabbi, bore the name of
Jesus. which was Il common name at
the time. For envy" PLATE realized
that the chief priests We're opposed to
Jesus because Of jealousy. So he ap-
pealed to the people with whom Jesus
was a hero. This diplomatic turn may
have succeeded. but just Their Pilates
attention was directed to Il message
from his wife," Claudia Porcula. and
meanwhile the chief priests and eld-
ers' got among the people and per-
Suuded them to choose Barabbas,
When PLATE therefore repeated the
question they We're ready with their
reply. The wicked priests had again
won.
Verses 22-26.-An act of cowardice.
PLATE was clearly confused. but he
dared not act according to his conviC-
tons. Let him be crucified." What
4 judge that he should let the people
decide the case for him instead of as
sorting his authority and prOnouncing
an equitable verdict. What evil hath
he done:' BY this time the multitude
had become excited, and it was i'm
possible to reason with them.
Cried out the MORE" The priests
had given them the cue, and they be-
came fierce as they shouted themselves
hOarse and threatened to raise "a tu-
mutt unless their wishes We're grant
ed. Look ut Tissot's striking picture
entitled Let Him Be Crucified." He
could prevail nothing" PLATE should
not have played to the galleries. Had
he acted like 4 discreet leader he
would not have lost his opportunity
! through cowardice. -