The Alaska citizen., 1915-05-24
:, :. . . . . . :. :, o o (

the PAGES of history is distinctive.
No book has been so true to the
real character in its delineations as
has the Bible. Its lines are drawn
as clear as the lines of the shadow
OF tree in its reflection in mid
summer The smallest twig throws
lis influence with all its being as
also the trunk and larger branches.
This is true of the characters that
have preceded Christ and those
that flourished in His day and those
that followed Him.
The life of the man is remember
ID because of something he did at
the crisis of his being. Like two
paintings side by side. both the mas
terpieces of artists, yet each silently
speaking the artists name because
he had painted himself into his
greatest work Abraham and John
and PLATE and Caiaphas and Jesus
all known by that which was their
true being.
or the life of Caiaphas little is
known. The New Testament brings
him to light but thrice. At his first
appearance he tells the rulers what
should be done with Jesus, and
>DtthS bttANi tlldI 1t hION w men
he says:
1T is eXpedient for US. that one
nan should die for the people and
thu, the whole nation perish not"
The second appearance is on the
night before the crucifiXion of Christ
when as presiding judge he con
ducts the trial. His third appear
ance is after the ascension when
y l. t,-;a %
and John. 1t is true that this is
not much history in the life of a
single man, yet this much is pene-
trating, as on a dark night the lurid
flash of TIE lightning gives a vivid
momentary glimpse of the landscape
so this history gives a true glance
of the life of a strong man gone
wrong Each bit of history gives
us the same revelation of him-a
man dominating in his strength. He
is unlike the other opponents of
Christ given in Scripture. Save his
spirit of opposition he has nothing
in common with Herod, PLATE or
Judas
Known TO him was the deepest
teaching of the Jewish religion Be
ing chief Priest he was supposed
to be an authority, and his great
mind and opportunity could have
made him the greatest of the High
priests since the days of Aaron, the
first High priest
\ leader among his fellows he
possessed qualities that are admir-
ed In human nature there is some
thing that responds to strength in
man, even though that strength is
1. -
gigantic confederation sending its
fIames mountain high;a wave of the sea
higher than his destructive fellows
fingers in the memory to be a part
of the story told of the disaster;
en- ugly hatlleshiD more deadly than
the others vomiting out shot and
fire and he'll And so is Caiaphas
He is fitted to destroy. Not like
Herod or PLATE or Judas in weak
ness. but like himself destructive in
strength; masterful in wrong doing.
The elements of strength in Cal
aphas as in other strong men gone
wrong is as interesting as it is ap-
pallins
He had a clear vision. Ahead he
could see the breakers upon which
his religion was driving. The future.
anu lilGI appeared near. Was pOT-
tending tie downfall of the Jewish
religion unless Jesus who was called
Christ could be gotten out of the
way. 1t takes a strong man to keep
his balance under even less troub-
lous times. But seeing the breakers
will not save the situation, he must
act, an that quickly.
Jesus, with all His sermons and
%
truth, spelled ruin to His worldly
had said that a house divided
Caiaphas knew that the people, as
more truth. Jesus was a revolu-
people would demand that he be
given a throne.
He was msrked by prompt deterni-
nation. a weak man at the approach
of impending danger will expose his
the crisis. The greater the danger
the weaker he will become in his
weakness. Many strong man has
made a fool OF himself in his weak
qualities. He must act and now.
ItICiOIt lIt III not llIlIt " I'LL
the situation before him and he gives
the short words that ruined him
forever, XIII Him." Christ must
l. put out Of the way
He was convincing. 1t is one
thing to see the threatening danger
and quite another to convince others
in whose authority lies the power
to prevent that danger, to act from
your own standpoint. And Caiaphas
did precisely this. If Jesus is not
prevented from going on in His pop
ularity with the people he will soon
nave such following that a revolution
will break out and this whole af
fair VIII be carried to Rome and
the Jewish people will cease as q
nation. And they agreed with him
for it was expedient that someone
should die.
He is daring. At the trial OF
Jesus when the witnesses were con
tradicting each other and all seem
ed but lost he rises to the rescue
Most men would not have dared tt
say cutting things about so stronf
an opponent in his presence, bu
Caiaphas, taking in the situation a
q glance, knew there must be re
lief now from the predicament o.
never. He takes the reins in hi
hands and asks Jesus the question
cart thou the Son Of GOd7" HI