THE KING’S BUSINESS 993 it is the very thing that makes us love Him. Jewish mob, there comes along a man It is the glory of the gospel. He receives elbowing his way in haste. He rushes up sinners. If He had not, what would have to Pilate, and, thrusting out his hand, gives
him a message. He tears it open; his face turns pale as he reads—“Have thou noth ing to do with this just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.” It is from Pilate’s wife —her testimony to Christ. You want to know what His enemies thought of Him? You want to know what a heathen thought? Well, here it is, “no fault in him;” and the wife of a heathen, “this just man.” And now, look—in comes Judas. He ought to make a good witness. Let us address him. “Come, tell us, Judas, what think ye of Christ? You knew the Master well; you sold Him for thirty pieces of silver; you betrayed Him with a kiss; you saw Him perform those miracles; you were with Him in Jerusalem. In Bethany, when He summoned up Lazarus, you were there. What think you of Him?” I can see Him as he comes into the presence of the chief priests: I can hear the money ring as he dashes it upon the table: “I have betrayed innocent blood!” Here is the man who betrayed Him, and this is what he thinks of Him! Yes, those who were guilty of His death put their testimony on record that He was an innocent man. Let us take the centurion who was pres ent at the execution. He had charge of the Roman soldiers. He told them to make Hith carry His cross; he had given orders for the nails to be driven into His feet and hands, for the spear to be thrust in His side. Let the centurion come forward. “Centurion, you had charge of the execu tioners; you saw that the order for His death was carried ou t; you saw Him die; you heard Him speak upon the cross. Tell us, what think you of Christ?” Hark! Look at him; he is smiting his breast as he cries, “Truly, this was the son of God!” I might go to the thief upon the cross, and ask what he thought of Him. At first he railed upon Him and reviled Him. But then he thought better of it: “This man hath done nothing amiss,” he says.
become of us? Have you nothing more to bring against Him than this? Why, it is one of the greatest compliments that was ever paid Him. Once more: when he was hanging on the tree, you had this to say to Him, “He saved others, but He could not save Himself and save us too.” So He laid down His own life for yours and mine. Yes, Pharisees, you have told the truth for once in your lives! He saved others. He died for others. He was a ransom for many; so it is quite true what you think of Him—He saved others, Himself He cannot save. Now, let us call upon Caiaphas. Let him stand up here in his flowing robes; let us ask him for his evidence. “Caiaphas, you were chief priest when Chirst was tried; you were president of the Sanhedrin; you ,were in the council-chamber when they found Him guilty; you yourself condemned Him. Tell us; what did the witnesses say? On what grounds did you judge Him? What testimony was brought against Him ?” “He hath spoken blasphemy,”- says Caiaphas. “He said, ‘Hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.’ When I heard that I found Him guilty of blasphemy ; I rent my mantle and condemned Him to death.” Yes, all that they had against Him was that He was the Son of God; and they slew Him for the promise of His coming for His bride! INNOCENT, SAY ALL Now let us summon Pilate. Let him enter the witness-box. Pilate, this man was brought before you; you examined, yoU' talked with Him facg to face; what think you of Christ? “I find no fault in Him,” says Pilate. “He said He was the King of the Jews just as He wrote it over the cross i but I find no fault in Him.” Such is the testi mony of the man who examined H im ! And, as He stands there, the center of a
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