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The Story of Jesus
convictions of right, his will would not have been overborne by the
mob; they would not have presumed to dictate to him.
His wavering and indecision proved his ruin. He saw that he could
not release Jesus, and yet retain his own position and honor.
Rather than lose his worldly power, he chose to sacrifice an in-
nocent life. Yielding to the demands of the mob, he again scourged
Jesus, and delivered Him 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.
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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.”
Matthew 27:25
.
And the awful words were echoed by the priests, and re-echoed by
the people.
It was a terrible sentence to pass upon themselves. It was an awful
heritage to hand down to their posterity.
Literally was this fulfilled upon themselves in the fearful scenes of
the destruction of Jerusalem, about forty years later.
Literally has it been fulfilled in the scattered, despised, and op-
pressed condition of their descendants since that day.
Doubly literal will be the fulfillment when the final accounting
shall come. The scene will then be changed, and “this same Jesus”
will come, “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not
God.”
Acts 1:11
;
2 Thessalonians 1:8
.
Then they will pray to the rocks and mountains:
“Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the
throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath
is come.”
Revelation 6:16, 17
.
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