_Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned._ JUDAS AND THE PRIESTS-END OF EVIL ASSOCIATION Men join hand in hand for a wicked object, out of which they hope for common profit. For a while the alliance lasts, and evil seems to have power of coherence as well as good. But... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Jesus stood before the governor._ PONTIUS PILATE The trial of Christ is a part of His humiliation; He who shall judge the nations stands to be judged of another. He who is “life” expects the sentence of death. The Eternal Word keeps silence. I. In speaking of the character and conduct of Pila... [ Continue Reading ]
_Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ._ THE RELEASE OF BARABBAS I. It illustrates the evasion of personal responsibility. We always admire courage in the abstract. Look at the position of Pilate! “I must sentence, gentlemen, you choose the culprit.” We may be doing this same thing. How often... [ Continue Reading ]
_His wife sent unto him saying, Have thou nothing to de with that just man._ PILATE’S WIFE I. The testimony of women to Christ. II. The testimony of dreams to Christ. III. The testimony of suffering to Christ-“Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things,” etc. The... [ Continue Reading ]
_And destroy Jesus._ THE CRUEL PURPOSE Moral beauty generally admired, etc. None more lovely than “Jesus,” and yet He was envied, hated, persecuted, and crucified. I. The efforts to destroy Jesus (Matthew 2:1; Luke 4:28). In the final conspiracy hired Judas, etc. (ch. 28). Though put to death, He... [ Continue Reading ]
_They said, Barabbas _ THE CHOICE-BARABBAS OR JESUS The same choice continues still. All, throughout the whole world, is one choice between God and Satan, Christ and Barabbas. We know not, indeed, what we do; and so, again and again, our blessed Lord intercedes for those who deliver Him to His foe... [ Continue Reading ]
_What shall I do then with Jesus?_ THE QUESTION THAT MUST BE ANSWERED Perhaps we all feel more or less a certain satisfaction that we have not, as Pilate had, to make that terrible decision which, with the limited knowledge of that day, we might have made as he did. Nevertheless, this question whic... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Pilate saw that he could pervail nothing._ PILATE A TYPE OF SELF-JUSTIFYING REJECTORS OF THE GOSPEL Observe the resemblance in his evasive pleas. 1. Assuming that the matter presented had no claims on him-“Take _ye _Him.” 2. Substituting a favourable opinion of Christ for a decision-“I fin... [ Continue Reading ]
_His blood be on us._ GOD TAKING SELF-CURSERS AT THEIR WORD God said Amen to this woeful curse, which cleaves close to them and their posterity, as a girdle to their loins, soaking as oil into their bones to this very day. Thirty-eight years after this fearful imprecation, in the same place, and cl... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they had platted a crown of thorns._ MOCKED OF THE SOLDIERS The shameful spectacle! What element of scorn is lacking? Roman soldiers mocking a supposed rival of Caesar are sure to go to the utmost lengths in their derision. The spectacle is as cruel as it is derisive. Thorns and rough bl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Him they compelled to bear His cross._ - SIMON BEARING THE CROSS I. We may derive from this narrative A confirmation of our faith. It was in accordance with the customs of the country; the correspondence is minute. Not compassion towards Christ that His cross was carried. II. An affecting illus... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they crucified Him, and parted His garments, casting lots._ THE WATCH BY THE CROSS The thought of those who with tender heart watch by the cross of Jesus. I. The first thought concerns the visible tragic elements of the scene. II. The contemplation of the sufferer, His character, and His wo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Two thieves crucified with Him._ JESUS BETWEEN TWO ROBBERS I. The moral condition of these men before crucifixion-Robbers. They are also called “malefactors.” At the earlier stage of the proceedings these two men were equally depraved. II. The moral condition of these men after they were affixed... [ Continue Reading ]
_He saved others; Himself lie cannot save._ HE SAVED OTHERS, HIMSELF HE CANNOT SAVE I. The incontestible fact-“He saved others.” Let us bring forth witnesses: Angels, healed men and women. II. Himself He cannot save. He is Divine. The world was made by Him; yet Himself He cannot save. The acts of... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was darkness over all the land._ GOOD FRIDAY AND ITS LESSONS A dark shadow belongs to the best of things. I. The first lesson is patience and perseverance. We must be patient with others if they stumble in the darkness, if they do not at once find their way towards the truth. II. The dark... [ Continue Reading ]
_My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?_ THE FORSAKEN CHRIST the desertion itself is plain. “Why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Then He felt Himself to be forsaken? The Divine nature could not be separated from the human; He was eternally God. Nor could the Father be separated from the Son in the Div... [ Continue Reading ]
_And gave Him to drink._ THE RELENTING CRUCIFIER No ill motive could have prompted this relief of thirst. I. The relenting crucifier may have wished to conceal his interest in Christ. It is not uncommon for those who are really convinced upon the subject of religion to use arts to conceal their f... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the Ghost._ SEVEN WONDERS There were seven wonders which made the death of Christ exceedingly remarkable. I. Over His head was written an inscription in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” That ther... [ Continue Reading ]
_And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain._ THE RENT VEIL I. The event as literally recorded. II. The event in its spiritual significancy. What did the veil represent? The human nature of Christ, which was now suffering for sin. The veil of sin which separated between God and us. The... [ Continue Reading ]
_Truly this was the Son of God._ HOMAGE OF REASON AND CONSCIENCE TO THE FACTS OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION Men’s hearts often harden in proportion to the privileges they enjoy. Hence heathens look on the affecting scene in a different state of mind than the Jews. They were nearer the kingdom of heave... [ Continue Reading ]
_There came a rich man of Arimathaea._ JOSEPH OF ARIMATHAEA I. The burial of Jesus by Joseph and his friend is an interesting illustration of faith. He accepted the evidence that Jesus was Christ. The popular fury had not affected his faith. Calm and dignified in his faith, he respectfully makes h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Command therefore that the sepulchre be made secure._ THE JEW AND THE ROMAN WATCHING THE SEPULCHRE I. This passage of sacred history illustrates the truth that God has “made all things for Himself, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.” “There is no counsel, nor wisdom, nor understanding agai... [ Continue Reading ]