The Gospel Herald for 1902
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"On earth peace, (300 will toward men." VOL, IV, 1025.27 'Jefferson St,, NASHVILLE, TENN„ February 5, 1902, NO, 5, him to release Jesus, declaring that he had done no wrong. Caiaphas angrily shook him off, and said with scorn:— " What is that to us? see thou to that." Matt. 17:4. Judas then threw himself at the Saviour's feet. He confessed that Jesus was the Son of God, and begged him to deliver himself from his enemies. The Saviour knew that Judas did not really repent of what he had done. EE' The false disciple feared that punishment would come upon him for his terrible deed; but he felt no real sorrow because he had betrayed the spot- less Son of God. BY MRS. E.G.WHITE. [ADAPTE Dj Yet Christ spoke to him no word of condemnation. He looked with COPY ..G BYE D. USED BY PERMISSION, pity upon Judas, and said:— " Por this hour came I into the world." JUDAS THE BETRAYER, A murmur of surprise ran through the assembly. With 'amazement HE Jewish rulers had been anxious to get Jesus into their power, but they beheld the forbearance of Christ toward his betrayer. T for fear of raising a tumult among the people they had not dared to Judas, saw that his entreaties were in vain, and he rushed from the hall, take him openly. So they had sought some one who would secretly be- crying : " It is too late ! It is too late ! " tray him, and had found in Judas, He felt that he could not live to one of the twelve disciples, the man see Jesus crucified, and in despair who would do this base act. went out and hanged himself. • Judas had naturally a strong love Later that same day, on the road for money, but he had not always from Pilate's judgment hall to Cal- been wicked and corrupt enough to vary, the wicked throng were lead- do such a deed as this. He had ing the Saviour to the place of fostered the evil spirit of avarice crucifixion. Suddenly there came until it had become the ruling mo- an interruption to their shouts and tive of his life, and he could now jeers. As they passed a retired sell his Lord for thirty pieces of spot, they saw at the foot of a life- silver [about $17], the price of a less tree the dead body of Judas. slave. Ex. 21 :28-32. He could It was a revolting sight. His now betray the Saviour with a kiss weight had broken the cord by in Gethsemane. which he had hanged himself to Judas followed every step of the the tree. In falling, his body had Son of God, as he went from the been horribly mangled, and the garden to the trial before the Jewish dogs were now devouring it. rulers. He had no thought that His remains were immediately the Saviour would allow the Jews buried out of sight ; but there was to kill him, as they had threatened less mockery, and many a pale face to do. At every moment he ex- revealed the fearful thoughts pected to see him released and pro- within. Retribution seemed al- tected by divine power, as had been ready to be visiting those who were done in the past. But as the hours guilty of the blood of Jesus. went by, and Jesus quietly sub- mitted to all the indignities that CHRIST BEFORE PILATE, were heaped upon him, a terrible After Christ had been condemned fear came to the traitor, that he by the judges of the Sanhedrim, he had indeed betrayed his Master to was taken at once to Pilate, the death. Roman governor, to have the sen- As the trial drew to a close, Judas tence confirmed and executed. could endure the torture of his The Jewish priests and rulers guilty conscience no longer.' All could not themselves enter the at once there rang through the hall judgment hall of Pilate. By the a hoarse voice, which sent a thrill ceremonial laws of their nation, of terror to the hearts of all pres- they would become defiled by so ent:— doing, and thus be debarred from " He is innocent! Spare him, 0 taking part in the feast of the pass- Caiaphas! He has done nothing over. worthy of death ! " In their blindness they did not The tall form of Judas was seen see that Christ was the real pass- pressing through the startled over lamb, and that since they had crowd. His face was pale and hag- Judas Selling Christ. rejected him, this great feast had gard, and large drops of sweat stood for them lost its meaning. on his forehead. Rushing to the throne of judgment, he threw down As Pilate beheld Jesus, he saw a man of noble countenance and digni- before the high priest the pieces of silver that had been the price of his fied bearing. No trace of crime was to be seen in his face. Pilate turned Lord's betrayal. He eagerly grasped the robe of Caiaphas, and begged to the priests and asked:— 34 THE GOSPEL ITERALD. " What accusation bring ye against this man?" John 18: 29. His ac- clamorous for immediate action, and Pilate was recalled to the interests cusers did not wish to state particulars, and so were not prepared for this of the hour. Going,out to the people, he declared:— question. They knew that they could bring no truthful evidence on " I find in him no fault at all." John 18:33-38. which the Roman governor would condemn him. So the priests called These words from a heathen judge were a scathing rebuke to the the false witnesses to their aid. "And they began to accuse him, saying:— base perfidy and falsehood of the rulers of Israel who were accusing the " We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give Saviour. tribute to Clesar, saying that he himself is Christ a king." Luke 23:2. As the priests and elders heard this from Pilate, their disappointment This was false, for Christ had plainly sanctioned the payment of tribute and rage knew no bounds. They had long plotted and waited for this to Cana". When the lawyers had tried to entrap him in regard to this opportunity. As they saw the prospect of the release of Jesus, they very matter, he had said:— seemed ready to tear him in pieces. "Render therefore unto Clesar the things which are CPesar's." Matt. They lost all reason and self-control, and gave vent to curses, behaving 22 : 21. more like demons than like men. They loudly denounced Pilate, and Pilate was not deceived by the testimony of the false witnesses. He `threatened hitn with the censure of the Roman government. They ac- turned to the Saviour, and asked: — cused Pilate of refusing to condemn Jesus, who, they affirmed, had set "Art thou the king of the Jews?" himself up against Ceesar. They then raised the cry:— Jesus answered, "Thou sayest." Matt. 27:11,. " He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning When they heard this answer, Caiaphas and those who were with him from Galilee to this place." Luke 23:5. called Pilate to witness that Jesus had admitted the crime of which they Pilate at this time had no thought of condemning Jesus. He was sure had accused him. With noisy cries they demanded that he be sentenced of his innocence. But when he heard that Christ was from Galilee, he to death. decided to send him to Herod, the ruler of that province, who was then As Christ made no answer to his accusers, Pilate said to him:— in Jerusalem. By this course Pilate thought to shift the responsibility of "Answerest thou nothing? the trial from himself to behold how many things Herod. they witness aga;inst thee. Jesus was faint from " But Jesus yet answered hunger, and weary from loss nothing." Mark 15:4, 5. of sleep. He was also suffer- Pilate was perplexed. He ing from the cruel treatment saw no evidence of crime in he had received. But Pilate Jesus, and he had no confi- delivered him again to th e dence in those who were soldiers, and he was dragged accusing him. The noble away, amid the jeers and in* appearance and quiet manner suits of the merciless mob. of the Saviour were in direct ,47 contrast to the excitement and fury of hi's accusers. THE STRAIT GATE. Pilate was impressed w i t h THE belated traveler, hur- this, and was well satisfied rying to reach the city gate of his innocence. by the going down of the Hoping to gain the truth sun, could not turn aside for from him, he took Jesus by any attractions by the way. hims el f , and questioned His whole mind was bent on him:— the one purpose of entering "Art thou the king of the the gate. The same intensity Jews?" of purpose, said Jesus, is re- Christ did not give a direct quired in the Christian life. answer to this question, but I have opened to you the asked:— glory of character which is " Sayest thou this thing of the true glory of my king- thyself, or did others tell it dom. It offers you no prom- thee of me ?" ise of earthly dominion, no ,"Art Thou the King of the Jews?" The• Spirit of God was selfish sovereignty ; yet it is striving with Pilate. The question of Jesus was intended to lead him to worthy of your supreme desire and effort.