In Pilate’s Judgment Hall
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has not been belied. Jesus did not respond, and Herod still continued
to urge: If Thou canst work miracles for others, work them now for
Thine own good, and it will serve Thee a good purpose. Again he
commanded, Show us a sign that Thou hast the power with which
rumor hath accredited Thee. But Christ was as one who heard and
saw not. The Son of God had taken upon Himself man’s nature. He
must do as man must do in like circumstances. Therefore He would
not work a miracle to save Himself the pain and humiliation that man
must endure when placed in a similar position.
Herod promised that if Christ would perform some miracle in his
presence, He should be released. Christ’s accusers had seen with their
own eyes the mighty works wrought by His power. They had heard
Him command the grave to give up its dead. They had seen the dead
come forth obedient to His voice. Fear seized them lest He should
now work a miracle. Of all things they most dreaded an exhibition
of His power. Such a manifestation would prove a deathblow to their
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plans, and would perhaps cost them their lives. Again the priests and
rulers, in great anxiety, urged their accusations against Him. Raising
their voices, they declared, He is a traitor, a blasphemer. He works His
miracles through the power given Him by Beelzebub, the prince of the
devils. The hall became a scene of confusion, some crying one thing
and some another.
Herod’s conscience was now far less sensitive than when he had
trembled with horror at the request of Herodias for the head of John
the Baptist. For a time he had felt the keen stings of remorse for his
terrible act; but his moral perceptions had become more and more
degraded by his licentious life. Now his heart had become so hardened
that he could even boast of the punishment he had inflicted upon John
for daring to reprove him. And he now threatened Jesus, declaring
repeatedly that he had power to release or to condemn Him. But no
sign from Jesus gave evidence that He heard a word.
Herod was irritated by this silence. It seemed to indicate utter
indifference to his authority. To the vain and pompous king, open
rebuke would have been less offensive than to be thus ignored. Again
he angrily threatened Jesus, who still remained unmoved and silent.
The mission of Christ in this world was not to gratify idle curiosity.
He came to heal the brokenhearted. Could He have spoken any word
to heal the bruises of sin-sick souls, He would not have kept silent.