306
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
May 1928
Empire long since crumbled and the em pire o f Jesus gathers unto itself all na tions. Who can doubt that His empire rests upon a foundation which forms a very part of the throne of God! , "Pilate marveled” (v. 5). He tried to evade condemning Jesus. He tried to satisfy them by offering them His release in place o f Barabbas; he referred the case to Herod ; he hoped that scourging would meet their demands. The chief priests, however, clamored for the liberation of Barabbas, who WAS what they falsely said Christ was, a leader o f sediljfon. For Him whom a thousand hosannas had greeted a few days before, there was no word of pity, no pleading. They cried out “ Crucify HimJ’i- (v. 13). They wanted the very worst form o f death for the world’s best man. “Pilate, willing to content the people, delivered Jesus” (v. 15). They had their way. Judas died a suicide. Caiaphas was deposed the next year. Pilate, wearied with misfortune, became a suicide. The house o f Annas was later destroyed by an infuriated mob—his son was murdered. Many who witnessed the crucifixion shar ed the horrors of the siege of Jerusalem. Jews were crucified by the thousand. Their children 1 were sold for less than “thirty pieces.” Their beautiful temple was laid in ruins. Blind must be the man who cannot see that the death of Christ laid the axe at the root o f the barren tree o f Judaism. They killed Him "lest the Romans take their place and nation.” “.The Romans did that very thing and they, too, went into the dust. —o— P it h a n d P o in t It is no use trying to fight Christianity’s battles with the world’s weapons (v. 47 ). Playing “Dr. Jekyl and Mi1. Hyde” is dangerous business (v. 54). Matthew Henry says : “ It is time to cry, ‘Help, Lord,’ when those who should be the conservators of peace and equity are the corrupters of both (vs. 55, 56). Defense may be an offense. By com mitting our cause to Him who judgeth righteously, we may avoid making a bad matter worse. When one false step has been taken, it is not so easy to recover yourself ,(V. 70). It is a strong • testimony for Christ that unbelievers expect cleanness of speech from His followers (v. 71). We need recollection more than we need information (v. 72). !—o— S u g g estiv e Q u e s t io n s By what title did Judas always address Jesus? (V . 45.) What would this habit seem to indicate ? (1 Cor. 12:3.) Is it possible for one to call Jesus “Lord” and not know him as a personal Saviour ? (Mt. 7 :21.) Is the Christian ever to take the sword on his own responsibility? (Mt. 26:52.) Under what circumstances is the use of the sword authorized? (Rom. 13:4.) What should a Christian do when under calumnies and false accusations? (V . 61; cf. 1 Pet, 2:23.) What caused Peter to give way to weeping? (V . 72; cf. Lk. 22:61-62.) What may be set over against the three-fold denial o f Peter? (V . 72; cf. Jn. 21:15-17.)
Keystone
TALK ABOUT SW IMM ING POOLS ! h e r e ’ s o n e o f S o l o m o n ’ s f in e poo ls u n e a r t h e d a t BETHLEHEM, PALESTINE.
From this scene we turn to the lone figure o f Peter. A little maid looks upon him and says, “ Thou also wast with Jesus” (v. 67). He at first feigned that he could not understand her (v. 68 ) and ended up by cursing and swearing, and declaring “I know not' the man” (v. 71). What an instance of human infirmity— a man who had been with Jesus in the mount and in the garden! Many a man with great advantages and fair appear ances has failed in the hour of testing be cause he had not learned that “It is not in man that walketh to direct his own steps" (Jer. 10:23). Peter, when sur rounded with ruffians, could swing a wicked sword; but when it came to fac ing hostile public opinion and suffering for Jesus, it was another matter. Many a Christian has stumbled over the same stone. Can you imagine a man o f Peter’s pro fessions cursing and swearing (v. 71)? It was the old fisherman habit resurrect ed, perhaps long since considered dead and buried. No doubt he had been a good swearer in his day—this headlong man o f temper. But let us not miss the point that there was real method in Peter’s madness on this occasion. What
will go further to demonstrate that a man is not a follower of Jesus than the use of profane language? It was all over! “Peter thought there on—and wept” (v. 72). Sooner or later, we will do some thinking. It is better to do it now. It is a satisfaction to see Peter crying, for it tells us that real shame wrung his heart, the very proof that the Spirit of God had not deserted him. Clement tells us that whenever Peter heard the cock crow at night, he was moved to tears and prayer. The opening verses of Chapter 15 show us Jesus before Pilate. It was prob ably seven in the morning (v, 1). Think ing to overawe the procurator by this early call, their numbers and dignity, the religious leaders had assembled. “ Suf fered under Pontius Pilate”—:so reads the creed of Christendom. The name o f Pi late has been handed down for eternal execration, yet of all the civil and eccle siastical rulers, he seems the least guilty o f malice and the most anxious to save Jesus. In Pilate’s presence Jesus acknowl edged Himself “King o f the Jews ” (v. 2). This strange assertion may have amused the Roman official, yet the Roman
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