Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-06

Our lesson calls for US to focus our
thoughts upon the darkest tragedy Of
history. We have seen the Master NOV
ing toward the cross. because he entered
humanity to be crucifed. according to
prophetic prediction and Gods plan.
The method "of Christ's death had been
Swallowed forth under q variety Of types
and figures. The braZen serpent Signt-
fed that He was to be lifted up: the
lamb upon the altar that His blood was
to be shed. His hands and feet were
to be pierced. He was to be wounded
and tormented. His ears were to be
filled with revilings. upon His vesture
lots were to be cast and vinegar was to
be given Him TO drink" When we read
the story Of Christs crucidxion, that
fulfilled In the very minuteness Of its
details the prophetic predictions Of the
seers Of Israel, we recognize that the
cross had q place In Gods program for
the salvation of men from the very
commencement Of sin. The fact Is that
Christianity is based upon the cruel
fix.on of Christ. We study this weeks
lesson and see in 1t not only the dark
est tragedy of all times, but the foun-
dations of our modern civilization.
Luke's narrative is marked by re-
strained simplicity Of statements which
supplement the other records contained
in the Scriptures. We draw near to the
cross. that no longer Is looked upon as
q mark of shame and sin, for the glory
of our Lords sacrifice has changed the
ideal of the cross in the minds Of men.
It Is the historic center OF our faith.
It reveals the glory and love of God.
Christ made his choice Of the cross be-
cause He wished to make clear to His
disciples and all mankind the message
Of the Kingdom Of Heaven was some
thing different from what they had
conceived it would be. He realized that
the apostles would have their faith
tested severely by His sufferings. He
had tried by His teachings to make 1t
clear to them that they were moving
forward through the days Of trial to a
larger and deeper knowledge Of God.
He summoned men to q life Of heroic
endeavor when he called them to fol-
low Him, making the cross the pivot
of their lives through self-denial, sacri-
fee and service.
Christ Before PLATE.
He had warned Peter Of the dangers
that he would face and had predicted
that he would deny Him three times
that night before the cock crew thrice.
Peter failed, just as Jesus had pointed
out to him that he would deny his
Lord, while he was warming himself by
the charcoal fire in the company OF the
Masters enemies during the trial be-
fore Caiaphas. Peter went out into the
darkness crushed by the Masters ap-
pealing look for His apostle to be stead
fast and loyal in that crucial moment.
While Peter walked the streets OF Je-
rl1salem Jesus faced an illegal, hurried
and unconstitutional session Of the San
hedrin. He refused to answer them I'M
til they brought up the question Art
Thou the Christi" He made a confess
sion of His Messiaship and Of His d.
vinity that stirred the Sanhedrin and
caused them to place Christ before Pr
late at early dawn.
While the differences between the
Sanhedrin and the Master had been
over religious questions, when th9y pre-
sented Jesus to the Roman imperial
representative, they made q political
charge against Him. This OF itself
would naturally arouse the suspicious
of PLATE, who must have had knoWl-
edge Of the Masters messages, ministry,
miracles and misunderstanding with
the religious leaders of the nation, who
detested PLATE and who had fought
him upon every occasion. In the trial
before PLATE, Christ made clear that
His Kingship, as we learn from John.
was not political one but spiritual
and intellectual one. PLATE informed
the chief priests and the multitude,
who had assembled with them. that he