The Brinkley argus., 1914-11-20

LESSON TExT-Luke 0:1s-&. See also Matt. N:11-81.
 GOLDEN TEXT = Pilate saith unto them, What then shall do unto Jesus. who is called Christf-Matt. T:n R V.
 The false witnesses (Mark 14:66-6o) did not help to formulate charges against Jesus. These rulers did. how ever. make three accusations. (Luke 23:3) (a) "Perverting the nation"- turning 1t to error: (b) ''forbidding to give tribute to Caesar" r"-trsason, (see Matt 17:2427): and (c) sthat he maketh himself Christ, . king
 e. g., his Messianic claims. Pi1ate (v. 14) seems to have dwelt upon the first as only worthy of consideration.
 |. Jesus and pliste; w. 13f9. This incident demands that we study care fully all that the other gospel writers have recorded. We have seen the ac- cusation recorded by Luke. Matthew and Luke tell us of Pilates question, Art thou the king of the Jews?" and of the answer of Christ claiming that he was. Matthew records the silence of Jesus to the accusations of the chief priests and to Pilate at that time. Luke gives us the account of Pilates perplexity. how Jesus was sent to Herod and of Pilates second report to the Jews. Matthew tells of the offer Pilate made to release Barab- bas or Jesus and of the message from Pilates wife.
 Trial . Mockery.
 The trial before Annas and CaiaphAs was a hollow mockery. The sanhedrin was fierce in its denunciation and to add disgrace and to impress Pilate that Jesus was dangerous. they led him into his presence. Pflate soon saw the emptiness of their charges. and as we have suggested. dismissed all save that of "perverting the nar tion." The Roman government keenly watched for incipient rebellions. After examination he declares, T find no fault in this man." He did not, how- ever, dare incur the hatred and vi0t lence of Jerusalem mob, and 10 he temporizes. The fiercest light of crit icism declares Jesus to be impeccAble. yet men temporize. After the dis graceful and degrading treatment Jesus received before Herod, he again stands before Pilate, and this time he is again declared to be innocent of the charges preferred against him. This Is the turning point of this worlds greatest tragedy. Pilate should have let him go, and would have had hs not been a venal judge. "He who hesi- tates is lost, Is amply exemplifed in this case. Pilate was in a worse case and one where 1t became less easy to do right, whatever his inclinations (Acts 3:13) may have been, by not acting resolutely at this point It wal easy for this weak-willed man then to yield to the determined wills of the enemies of Jesus, v. 24 R. V. Pilate found no fault In Jesus. neither did Herod (v. 15). yet Pilate compromis- ingly says, nothing worthy of death. ' hence the suggestion that he be chasr tised and released This is typical of the stemporizing. compromising, flckle poli- ticians. These words at once sug- gested to the Jews a custom Of hav. ing released unto them one whom fhey chose at this period of the year, and they cried out, AsAway with this man. release unto us Barabbas.'' It was thus that these, his accusers, repro. senting the nation, denied the holy and just, and desirable a murderer. . Acts 8:14.
 PIIate Tried to Gave christ.
 IT,. Jesusy and Darabbas, W. 2o26 Matthew adds to that awful cry. when Ptlate has washed his hands in token of innocency. "IIis blood De upon us'' (Matt. 27:25). The other writers give us some suggestions as to who Barabbas was. and makes this choice more appalling by way of contrast III. The Teaching. This lesson ls intended to center itself about Pilate. In 1t we see the struggle between con- science and personal ambition. Pt late was impressed by the words of Christ. He told the priests and the multitude that he found no fault in him. It appearr that up to certain point he tried to save Christ. and cer- tainly to the end he strove to avoid the responsibility for his death. Sore. ly pressed he temporized and the conversation recorded in John IS: 3S-38 shows how profoundly interested he was in this prisoner before him. Pilate knew whom he was dealing with as politician, but did not know this "man of Galilee." He chose rath- CT to be Caesars friend" than to per. form righteous act according to the dictates of his conscience. Pressed by the clamor of those whom he dc spised, he sacrificed his conscience rather than incur their anger.
 The golden text focuses the personal l application of this entire lesson, What shall I do unto. Jesus. which Is called Christi" As this question fell from the lips of Pilate 1t was an appeal to those who had asked for Barabbas. What then shall do?" was an acknowledgement of defeat, an acquiescence to the will of tha people, and desire to shift the responsibil. l N IL |