THE KING’S BUSINESS
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23:6-12). Herod in turn sent Christ back to Pilate. Pilate, aware that the Priests condemned Christ out of envy (v. 10), turned from them to the people.. They cried, “Crucify Him” (v. 13). So Pilate, willing to content the people, gave the holy, harmless, sinless, Son of God to the soldiers to be put to death (v. 15). The Roman soldiers mocked Him as “King.” They threw an old purple military cloak about Him and put a crown of thorns upon His head. Spitting upon Him and slapping Him, they mockingly cried, “Hail, King of the Jews!” When Christ asked for a drink, He was given bitter vinegar. He was stripped and nailed to the cross as it lay upon the ground, then it was raised and dropped into place. Having divided Christ’s clothing, they heartlessly set about watching Him suffer. They railed on Him jeeringly, wagging their heads and saying, “Save thyself and come down from the cross.” Physical pain was not the greatest of Christ’s sufferings. Penalty for sin must be paid. The stripes due us were made to fall on Him. Christ who knew no sin was made sin that we sinners might go free. Their mockery was true. “He saved others, Himself He could not save” (v. 31). Had He saved Himself, we would have been hopelessly condemned. “He gave up” (v. 37). Any moment Christ had wished He could have saved Himself. The good shepherd had given His life for the gheep.
cedure had to be made. They were at a loss, for they had no charge against Jesus. Many witnessed falsely but their testimony, being lids, conflicted. During all this injus tice Christ “answered nothing” (v. 6 ). At length the priest asked, “Art thou Christ the Son of God?” Christ answered, “I am.” Then, looking beyond His death, foretold His glorious second coming (v. 62). These chiefs made out that Christ was lying and blaspheming God. They rent their robes in horror of His profane assumption and condemned Him worthy of death (v. 4). While this was taking place, poor Peter was in the outer court shamefully swearing and denying that he bad ever known Christ The Sanhedrin could condemn to death, but only Roman authorities could execute it. It was only 3 o’clock. The Roman chief could not be seen until morning. To their shame, they spent their time in heap ing outrages and violence upon Christ (v. 65). Jewish law prohibited the Sanhedrin from trying criminal cases at night. There fore, a second and more formal meeting was called at daybreak. They confirmed their former verdict and proceeded in a body to the Roman governor, Pilate, demanding that death sentence be carried out. Pilate could find no fault with Christ. But he lacked the strength of character to release Him. He feared the people, lest they report him to Rome and he lose his position. Learning that Herod, another Roman ruler, was in Jerusalem, Pilate shifted the responsibility to him (Luke
BEGINNERS AND PRIMARY
By Mabel L. Merrill. Jesus Gives H is Life fo r O th ers
M EMORY VERSE. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his live for his friends.”—John 15:13. Approach*— Now this morning, children we are going to have a picture on the sand table, and every one is going to keep his little ears and eyes wide open so you will
always remember the story of this picture. (Elevate sand slightly on left end of table, and place card board city wall with open gate in middle across this end of table. On opposite end form hill in sand to represent Calvary and place three card board crosses. Add a little shrubbery and a sprinkle of grass on hill. Would not advise use of
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