Condemnation of Jesus
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taken up by the crowd in an inhuman roar of voices. “Then answered
all the people and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”
At this exhibition of satanic madness, the light of conviction shone
more clearly upon the mind of Pilate. He had never before witnessed
such rash presumption and heartless cruelty. And in strong contrast
with the ungovernable passion of his persecutors was the dignified
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repose of Jesus. In his own mind Pilate said, He is a God, and thought
he could discern a soft light shining about his head. Looking thus
upon Christ he turned pale with fear and self-condemnation; then,
confronting the people with a troubled countenance, he said, I am clear
of his blood. Take ye him and crucify him; but mark ye, priests and
rulers, I pronounce him a just man, and may He whom he claims as
his Father judge you for this day’s work, and not me. Then turning to
Jesus he continued, Forgive me for this act; I am not able to save you.
Only a short time before, the governor had declared to his prisoner
that he had power to release or to condemn him; but he now thought
that he could not save him, and also his own position and honor; and
he preferred to sacrifice an innocent life rather than his own worldly
power. Had he acted promptly and firmly at the first, carrying out
his convictions of right, his will would not have been overborne by
the mob; they would not have presumed to dictate to him. His wa-
vering and indecision proved his irredeemable ruin. How many, like
Pilate, sacrifice principle and integrity, in order to shun disagreeable
consequences. Conscience and duty point one way, and self-interest
points another; and the current, setting strongly in the wrong direction,
sweeps away into the thick darkness of guilt him who compromises
with evil.
Satan’s rage was great as he saw that all the cruelty which he had
led the Jews to inflict upon Jesus had not forced the least murmur from
his lips. Although he had taken upon himself the nature of man, he
was sustained by a Godlike fortitude, and departed in no particular
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from the will of his Father.
Wonder, O Heavens! and be astonished, O earth! Behold the
oppressor and the oppressed. A vast multitude inclose the Saviour of
the world. Mocking and jeering are mingled with the coarse oaths of
blasphemy. His lowly birth and his humble life are commented upon
by unfeeling wretches. His claim to be the Son of God is ridiculed
by the chief priests and elders, and the vulgar jest and insulting sneer