WHAT a picture! The great judgment-hall thronged with people. A cruel multitude thirsting for the blood of a righteous Man. The chief priests and elders persuading the people to demand the release of Barabbas and the destruction of Jesus. Pilate upon the judgment-seat; Christ, in all His dignity, standing before him. Little did judge and accusers think that in their presence was the Word made flesh, God over all, blessed forever the King of kings, the long-promised Messiah, their only hope, and yet they spurned Him.
To describe Him is impossible. May God attract your heart to Him in all His majesty and love. He had just been led away from the garden of Gethsemane, in the anguish of His soul He had sweat as it were, great drops of blood falling to the ground, the traitor's kiss had just been put upon His holy cheek, the thorny crown upon His brow, and there He stands. He might have spoken and destroyed His enemies by “the spirit of His mouth.”
But, no; in patient grace he bears all the insults and shame. Pilate asks Him, “Art Thou the King of the Jews?" and He answers, “Thou sayest," meaning yes. Here was an opportunity to have proved His Messiahship, but as the chief priests and elders accused Him He answered nothing, till Pilate marveled greatly.
Why did He submit to all this? Love, divine love, is the only answer. For all that He endured at the hands of men was as the antechamber to what He suffered on the cross; when He cried, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? " There, alone with God, the whole question of sin was raised and settled to God's satisfaction and glory.
So we read, " In due time Christ died for the ungodly... God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:6, 8.)
Is there one who does not know that Christ died for his sins? He endured the cross, that you might be forgiven. Now He pleads with you to trust Him. Will you spurn such love, such offers? Ponder, then, the solemn answer to the solemn question, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" For "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." A. B.