Gilpin observer., 1915-09-16

dUoNe Cne duulence on one OF these
stone benches, or "bema," as they
were then called, and placed here for
the purpose.
We see men Fastening along this
very street, leading as it did to the
Sheep Gate" (the modern st. Ste-
phen's gate), and join a crowd with
torches at Gethsemane. which, with
the betraying of Judas, have taken the
Nazarene found here absorbed in
prayer. They lead him up the steep
slopes of the Kedron valley into the
city to the palace of Caiaphas, the
high priest.
BY morning we see them move on
to the public square before Pilates
house. PLATE comes out from the pal
ace to the crowd clamoring against
Jesus. The Jews will not enter the
Judgment Hall lest they be thereby
defiled and prevented by their law
from eating the passover which was
then being kept. Therefore we see
Jesus entering alone with PLATE. Dur
ing the short interview that ensues
Plate asks: Art thou the king of
the Jews?" Jesus answers: MY king
dom is not of this world" Plate re-
appears. The square is crowded and
we hear Plate says: will ye that l
release to you the king of the Jews?"
But the clamoring reply is: Not this
man, but Barabbas." Plate now or.
ders Jesus to be scourged. A soldier,
possibly running to pile of thorn
bushes such as are still extensively
gathered and kept for fuel, plaits a
crown, which is placed upon Jesus, as
also purple robe. Thus he is pre-.
sented to his adversaries outside, and
Pilates voice is heard above the din
of outcries, saying "Ecce Homo" (Be.
hold the mani.
The high priests call out Cruelty
him." Plate seeks to release him. but
the former, knowing his weak spot,
for PLATE was only a procurator or
governor under Caesar in Rome. call
out: IF thou let this man 60 thou
art not Caesars friend; whosoever
maketh himself king spe"keth
against Caesar"
Where PLATE Sat.
Plate is influenced We see him
now returning to the crowd outside.
and taking his seat upon one of these
stone benches here preserved, he has
Jesus led before him, complies fully
with the requests of the Jews, and the
crowd disappears with crosses and
Roman soldiers. 1t is about the sixth
hour. or noon, foe then, as now. in
eastern countries time begins with
sunset.
Thus in our minds journey we have
followed closely st. Johns graphic
account given in the eighteenth and
nineteenth chapters. The thirteenth
verse of the latter chapter is of all i'm.
portant interest to our subject. "Pilate
therefore brought Jesus forth,
and sat down in the judgment seat in
place called pavement" The words
here translated in the authorized YER.
sion Judgment seat" have been rem.
dered in a more critical translation by
j. b. Rotterdam elevated bench" In
the original Greek it is "bema," mean.
ing an elevated platform for orators
use. Nor does the context 20 to show
that 1t was anything like an official
throne or judgment seat.
'erusaiem mas peen DeSieged and
destroyed more times than any other
city. Nearly 1000 years have elapsed
since the days we have been thinking
Of Naturally we cannot, nor should
we expect, to find here absolutely GER
tain spots associated with our Lord s
life on earth. In fact few of the many
now pointed out are capable of being
authenticated. Nevertheless as we
turn away from this spot we cannot
help but feel we have looked upon the
very pavement trod by our Lord,
and probably have seen the very seat
from which PLATE gave sentence.
1t is true that some Psychologists
may argue that this triumphal arch is
later than the days OF Christ; but even
If this were so 1t does not disproye
the pavement"