The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-04-14
Brief Account or Sermons
 Preached m Local Churches

(Which of you convinceth Me of sin? Through ali the months, keen eyes had been fixed upon Him, trying to detect some flaw. Those sent to trap Him in His speech came back to report: Never man spake like this man" When all the evidence was brought by the rulers of the people to the attention of the judge, he declared before them all: I find no fault in Him.
 "These words of Pilate carry our thoughts back to those closing scenes in the earthly life of the Christ-scenes that bring out the tenderest and grandest aspects of His character, that present human sinfulness and Divine love in such sharp contrast, that mark the focal point of revelation, that have made pos sible our redemption.
 "The trial of the Lord Jesus was two i fold, Ecclesiastical and civil: and to ca ch of these there were three stages. The three stages of the Ecclesiastical trial | were:l l. Before Annas; 2. Before Cai- | aphas; 3. Before the regular session of the | Sanhedrin. The three stages of the civil | trial were: l. Before Pilate; 2. Before | Herod g. Before Pilate. The political situation of Judaea made necessary this double trial. The country was in subjcc- i tion to Rome, and was governed by the ] Roman judge with headquarters at 1 Caesarea In dealing with conquered provinces, Rome did not take away all rights. Peculiar freedom was granted in all religions In all cases where the | death penalty was to be paid the prisoner was carried to Caesarea, unless the gov ernor happened to be at Jerusalem.
 "The Ecclesiastical trial took place on | that Thursday night. the night before the Crucifixion. that Jesus celebrated the | Passover with His disciples and insti- tuted the Sacrament of the Lords Sup per About the midnight hour. He went with them to Gethsemane. To that Gar | den the armed band came, to arrest Him. With kisses Judas betrayed Him. Then they bound Him and led Him to Annas.
 "The trial before Caiaphas did not be- | gin with charges against Jesus, but with the high-priest asking Him as to Ills disciples and doctrines As to His dis cipIes. Jesus made no reply. The trial before the regular session of the Sanhe- drin, at sunrise on Friday, was merely formal, to ratify the decisions of the in- formal and irregular meeting.
 Tt was probably about seven o'clock on Friday morning that Jesus was led. bound, to the Roman governor. Pilate. which marked the beginning of the civic trial. Pilate came forth, and asked the charge against the prisoner. To their surprise, he called for the accusations. His accusers in reply, did not mention the real charge. Taking Jesus within the judgment hall for season. Pilate comes out again and says: I find no fault in Him.
 "Enraged, the people shout: He stirred the people here and through Galilee. This gave Pilate a chance to escape. He will send Jesus to Herod.
 Pilate offers to 'scourge Him and let Him go;' he would, according to custom, release Jesus and not Barabbas unto them At last, when Piate seemed de- termined to release Jesus, the leaders of the people cry: If thou let this man go, thou art no friend to Caesar This was enough Pilate knew that his life and deeds would not stand the close scrutiny of Rome He gives way before the cry of the rabble and leaders, and delivers Jesus to be crucified.
 "The Crucifixon took place, perhaps. at ten o'clock that Fridoy morning that the Christ was led forth. Reaching Golgotha, they nailed Him to the cross. There he died the righteous for the unrighteous.