The Republican., 1925-02-26
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Prepared Especially for The Repub-
lican by Rev. U. S. Wright, D. D.
SUNDAY, MARCH l, 1925,
CHRIST BEFORE PLATE

CHhISI BEFURE PILATE
Matt. 27:11-91. Read 26:47-27:1O;
Mark 14:43-15:15; Luke 22:47-23:
25; John 18:1-19:16.
He was wounded for our transgressions he
was bruised for our iniquties.-Isaiah SO IS.
JUDGE HATE.
The leaders of Jerusalem were
fighting for their world. They de-
sired no change and were certain that
if Jesus had His way their city was
doomed. They had built up a vast
system under which they held office
and enjoyed the prestige and the
spoils of it. They saw plainly enough
the effect upon their position if the
dream of brotherhood should come in
TO actuality and democracy come to
birth. "Christ and Chaos" would
have been the epithet hurled at the
reform party if it had been New York
and our own day. They were blinded
by their fear and they hated with all
their power this disturber of their
rule. Under such a Judge affairs
moved swiftly during that night
when they determined the fate of
Jerusalem.
Guided by the traitor they searched
the garden and were charged with
cowardice by the Prisoner, bound and
being hurried into the city. He was
taken to the palace of Annas where
hasty examination made sure the
identity and set their minds at rest
in knowing that Jesus was really in
their power. So much known He was
transferred to the other section of
the building where Caiaphas lived.
There was a call for members and
witnesses and soon a little group
gathered and attempted to formulate
the charges upon which they would
appeal PLATE. In spite of the irregu-
larity there were some there who
carefully scrutinized the evidence and
were not SO swept away from reason
as to lose their judgment. Even the
statement about the broken Temple
with its appeal to the feelings of
every citizen was found faulty and
they were at a loss as to how to pro-
coed. Then Jesus was put upon oath
and the lips silent under the question
ing gave their great acknowledgment
that included the forecast of death
and subsequent glory. From their
standpoint it was blasphemous
enough and one can understand the
joy of the High Priest as he grasped
the front of his robe and tore it
downward from the throat. The law
was clear and they could without any
seruples fix the penalty. Then they
waited for the dawn when they could
give the formal verdict. 1t was
doubtless during this interval, length
unknown, that the charges to be
presented to the Roman were ar
ranged. When all the members who
were in the city were on hand there
was but briefest time necessary since
all that was done was to affirm the
action taken earlier and start for the
opening of the office of the Procura-
tor who probably found them wait
ing for his coming.
JUDGE CRAVEN
The bluff Roman knew much of the
history of the case already for Jesus
was known to some members of the
court and his own wife was an inter-
ested party. No doubt his spies had
told him of some of the happenings of
recent days for it was his business
to be acquainted with matters among
these despised Jews. Jesus had no
. standing in his court for he did not
possess Pauls citizenship and that
Plate spent so much time in seeking
His release when a dead Jew was
considered better than live one in
dicates the impression made upon
him. The judge knew His innocence
and affirmed it again and again. He
was tenderly devoted to his wife and
her appeal would add to the desire
he already had to save His life. There
was no defense presented for Jesus
would not talk. John appears nowhere
tho he had been in the palace of the
priest. Peter had denied Him at an
earlier hour and had gone away with
bitter tears and when his Lord was
taken into the closer custody of an
inner room John may have left the
building in search of the stricken
disciple and have had no entry into
the court Of Plate Utterly alone
was the majestic figure conscious Of
worth and power standing like stag
-bayed by dogs, Sending Him to