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From Heaven With Love
memory of that bloody head brought to him in a charger. He also
desired to have his curiosity satisfied and thought that if Christ were
given a prospect of release, He would do anything that was asked of
Him.
When the Saviour was brought in, the priests and elders excitedly
urged their accusations against Him. But Herod commanded silence.
He ordered that the fetters of Christ should be unloosed, at the same
time charging His enemies with roughly treating Him. He as well as
Pilate was satisfied that Christ had been accused through malice and
envy.
Herod questioned Christ in many words, but the Saviour main-
tained a profound silence. At the command of the king, the decrepit
and maimed were then called in, and Christ was ordered to prove
His claim by working a miracle. Jesus did not respond, and Herod
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continued to urge: Show us a sign that Thou hast the power with
which rumor has credited Thee. But the Son of God had taken upon
Himself man’s nature, and He must do as man must do in like cir-
cumstances. Therefore, He would not work a miracle to save himself
the pain and humiliation that man must endure in a similar position.
Herod promised that if Christ would perform some miracle, He
should be released. Fear seized Christ’s accusers lest He should now
work a miracle. Such a manifestation would prove a deathblow to
their plans and would perhaps cost them their lives. Raising their
voices, the priests and rulers declared, He is a traitor, a blasphemer;
He works His miracles through the powers of the prince of the devils!
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. His moral perceptions had become more and
more degraded by his licentious life. He could even boast of the
punishment he had inflicted on John for daring to reprove him. And
he now threatened Jesus, declaring that he had power 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. Again he angrily threatened Jesus, who
still remained unmoved and silent.
The mission of Christ was not to gratify idle curiosity. Could
He have spoken any word to heal sin-sick souls, He would not have
kept silent. But He had no words for those who trample truth under