634
The Desire of Ages
Pilate longed to deliver Jesus. But he saw that he could not do this,
and yet retain his own position and honor. Rather than lose his worldly
power, he chose to sacrifice an innocent life. How many, to escape
loss or suffering, in like manner sacrifice principle. Conscience and
duty point one way, and self-interest points another. The current sets
strongly in the wrong direction, and he who compromises with evil is
swept away into the thick darkness of guilt.
Pilate yielded to the demands of the mob. Rather than risk losing
his position, he delivered Jesus up to be crucified. But in spite of
his precautions, the very thing he dreaded afterward came upon him.
His honors were stripped from him, he was cast down from his high
office, and, stung by remorse and wounded pride, not long after the
crucifixion he ended his own life. So all who compromise with sin
will gain only sorrow and ruin. “There is a way which seemeth right
unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Proverbs 14:12
.
When Pilate declared himself innocent of the blood of Christ,
Caiaphas answered defiantly, “His blood be on us, and on our children.”
The awful words were taken up by the priests and rulers, and echoed
by the crowd in an inhuman roar of voices. The whole multitude
answered and said, “His blood be on us, and on our children.”
The people of Israel had made their choice. Pointing to Jesus
they had said, “Not this man, but Barabbas.” Barabbas, the robber and
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murderer, was the representative of Satan. Christ was the representative
of God. Christ had been rejected; Barabbas had been chosen. Barabbas
they were to have. In making this choice they accepted him who from
the beginning was a liar and a murderer. Satan was their leader. As a
nation they would act out his dictation. His works they would do. His
rule they must endure. That people who chose Barabbas in the place
of Christ were to feel the cruelty of Barabbas as long as time should
last.
Looking upon the smitten Lamb of God, the Jews had cried, “His
blood be on us, and on our children.” That awful cry ascended to
the throne of God. That sentence, pronounced upon themselves, was
written in heaven. That prayer was heard. The blood of the Son of
God was upon their children and their children’s children, a perpetual
curse.
Terribly was it realized in the destruction of Jerusalem. Terribly has
it been manifested in the condition of the Jewish nation for eighteen