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174
Early Writings
Even Herod and Pilate were greatly troubled at His noble, Godlike
bearing.
[173]
From the first, Pilate was convicted that Jesus was no common
man. He believed Him to be an excellent character, and entirely
innocent of the charges brought against Him. The angels who were
witnessing the scene marked the convictions of the Roman governor,
and to save him from engaging in the awful act of delivering Christ
to be crucified, an angel was sent to Pilate’s wife, and gave her
information through a dream that it was the Son of God in whose trial
her husband was engaged, and that He was an innocent sufferer. She
immediately sent a message to Pilate, stating that she had suffered
many things in a dream on account of Jesus and warning him to have
nothing to do with that holy man. The messenger, pressing hastily
through the crowd, placed the letter in the hands of Pilate. As he
read, he trembled and turned pale, and at once determined to have
nothing to do with putting Christ to death. If the Jews would have
the blood of Jesus, he would not give his influence to it, but would
labor to deliver Him.
When Pilate heard that Herod was in Jerusalem, he was greatly
relieved; for he hoped to free himself from all responsibility in the
trial and condemnation of Jesus. He at once sent Him, with His
accusers, to Herod. This ruler had become hardened in sin. The
murder of John the Baptist had left upon his conscience a stain
from which he could not free himself. When he heard of Jesus
and the mighty works wrought by Him, he feared and trembled,
believing Him to be John the Baptist risen from the dead. When
Jesus was placed in his hands by Pilate, Herod considered the act an
acknowledgment of his power, authority, and judgment. This had
the effect to make friends of the two rulers, who had before been
enemies. Herod was pleased to see Jesus, expecting Him to work
some mighty miracle for his satisfaction. But it was not the work
[174]
of Jesus to gratify curiosity or to seek His own safety. His divine,
miraculous power was to be exercised for the salvation of others, but
not in His own behalf.
Jesus answered nothing to the many questions put to Him by
Herod; neither did He reply to His enemies, who were vehemently
accusing Him. Herod was enraged because Jesus did not appear
to fear his power, and with his men of war he derided, mocked,