The Trial of Christ
The angels as they left heaven, in sadness laid off their glittering
crowns. They could not wear them while their Commander was suffering and
was
to wear a crown of thorns. Satan and his angels were busy in the judgment
hall to destroy human feeling and sympathy. The very atmosphere was heavy
and polluted by their influence. The chief priests and elders were
inspired
by them to insult and abuse Jesus in a manner the most difficult for human
nature to bear. Satan hoped that such mockery and violence would call
forth
from the Son of God some complaint or murmur; or that He would manifest
His
divine power, and wrench Himself from the grasp of the multitude, and that
thus the plan of salvation might at last fail. {EW 169.1}
Peter followed his Lord after His betrayal. He was anxious to see
what
would be done with Jesus. But when he was accused of being one of His
disciples, fear for his own safety led him to declare that he knew not the
man. The disciples were noted for the purity of their language, and Peter,
to convince his accusers that he was not one of Christ's disciples, denied
the charge the third time with cursing and swearing. Jesus, who was at
some
distance from Peter, turned a sorrowful reproving gaze upon him. Then the
disciple remembered the words which Jesus had spoken to him in the upper
chamber, and also his own zealous assertion, "Though all men shall be
offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended." He had denied his
Lord, even with cursing and swearing; but that look of Jesus' melted
Peter's
heart and saved him. He wept bitterly and repented of his great sin, and
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was converted, and then was prepared to strengthen his brethren. {EW
169.2}
The multitude were clamorous for the blood of Jesus. They cruelly
scourged Him, and put upon Him an old purple kingly robe, and bound His
sacred head with a crown of thorns. They put a reed into His hand, and
bowed
to Him, and mockingly saluted Him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" They then
took
the reed from His hand and smote Him with it upon the head, causing the
thorns to penetrate His temples, sending the blood trickling down His face
and beard. {EW 170.1}
It was difficult for the angels to endure the sight. They would have
delivered Jesus, but the commanding angels forbade them, saying that it
was
a great ransom which was to be paid for man; but it would be complete and
would cause the death of him who had the power of death. Jesus knew that
angels were witnessing the scene of His humiliation. The weakest angel
could
have caused that mocking throng to fall powerless and could have delivered
Jesus. He knew that if He should desire it of His Father, angels would
instantly release Him. But it was necessary that He should suffer the
violence of wicked men, in order to carry out the plan of salvation. {EW
170.2}
Jesus stood meek and humble before the infuriated multitude, while
they
offered Him the vilest abuse. They spit in His face--that face from which
they will one day desire to hide, which will give light to the city of God
and shine brighter than the sun. Christ did not cast upon the offenders an
angry look. They covered His head with an old garment, blindfolding Him,
and
then struck Him in the face and cried out, "Prophesy, who is it that smote
Thee?" There was commotion among the angels. They would have rescued Him
instantly; but their commanding angels restrained them.
171
{EW 170.3}
Some of the disciples had gained confidence to enter where Jesus was
and witness His trial. They expected that He would manifest His divine
power, and deliver Himself from the hands of His enemies, and punish them
for their cruelty toward Him. Their hopes would rise and fall as the
different scenes transpired. Sometimes they doubted, and feared that they
had been deceived. But the voice heard at the mount of transfiguration,
and
the glory they there beheld, strengthened their faith that He was the Son
of
God. They called to mind the scenes which they had witnessed, the miracles
which they had seen Jesus perform in healing the sick, opening the eyes of
the blind, unstopping the deaf ears, rebuking and casting out devils,
raising the dead to life, and even calming the wind and the sea. They
could
not believe that He would die. They hoped that He would yet rise in power,
and with His commanding voice disperse that bloodthirsty multitude, as
when
He entered the temple and drove out those who were making the house of God
a
place of merchandise, when they fled before Him as if pursued by a company
of armed soldiers. The disciples hoped that Jesus would manifest His power
and convince all that He was the King of Israel. {EW 171.1}
Judas was filled with bitter remorse and shame at his treacherous act
in betraying Jesus. And when he witnessed the abuse which the Saviour
endured, he was overcome. He had loved Jesus, but had loved money more. He
had not thought that Jesus would suffer Himself to be taken by the mob
which
he led on. He had expected Him to work a miracle, and deliver Himself from
them. But when he saw the infuriated multitude in the judgment hall,
thirsting for blood, he deeply felt his guilt; and while many were
vehemently accusing Jesus, Judas rushed through the multitude, confessing
that he had sinned in betraying
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innocent blood. He offered the priests the money which they had paid him,
and entreated them to release Jesus, declaring that He was entirely
innocent. {EW 171.2}
For a short time vexation and confusion kept the priests silent. They
did not wish the people to know that they had hired one of the professed
followers of Jesus to betray Him into their hands. Their hunting Jesus
like
a thief and taking Him secretly, they wished to hide. But the confession
of
Judas, and his haggard, guilty appearance, exposed the priests before the
multitude, showing that it was hatred that had caused them to take Jesus.
As
Judas loudly declared Jesus to be innocent, the priests replied, "What is
that to us? see thou to that." They had Jesus in their power, and were
determined to make sure of Him. Judas, overwhelmed with anguish, threw the
money that he now despised at the feet of those who had hired him, and, in
anguish and horror, went and hanged himself. {EW 172.1}
Jesus had many sympathizers in the company about Him, and His
answering
nothing to the many questions put to Him amazed the throng. Under all the
mockery and violence of the mob, not a frown, not a troubled expression,
rested upon His features. He was dignified and composed. The spectators
looked upon Him with wonder. They compared His perfect form and firm,
dignified bearing with the appearance of those who sat in judgment against
Him, and said to one another that He appeared more like a king than any of
the rulers. He bore no marks of being a criminal. His eye was mild, clear,
and undaunted, His forehead broad and high. Every feature was strongly
marked with benevolence and noble principle. His patience and forbearance
were so unlike man that many trembled. Even Herod and Pilate were greatly
troubled at His noble, Godlike bearing.
173
{EW 172.2}
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. {EW 173.1}
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
174
work 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. {EW 173.2}
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, and abused the Son of God. Yet he was
astonished
at the noble, Godlike appearance of Jesus when shamefully abused, and
fearing to condemn Him, he sent Him again to Pilate. {EW 174.1}
Satan and his angels were tempting Pilate and trying to lead him on
to
his own ruin. They suggested to him that if he did not take part in
condemning Jesus others would; the multitude were thirsting for His blood;
and if he did not deliver Him to be crucified, he would lose his power and
worldly honor and would be denounced as a believer on the impostor.
Through
fear of losing his power and authority, Pilate consented to the death of
Jesus. And notwithstanding he placed the blood of Jesus upon His accusers,
and the multitude received it, crying, "His blood be on us, and on our
children," yet Pilate was not clear; he was guilty of the blood of Christ.
For his own selfish interest, his love of honor from the great men of
earth,
he delivered an innocent man to die. If Pilate had followed his own
convictions, he would have had nothing to do with condemning Jesus. {EW
174.2}
The appearance and words of Jesus during His trial made a deep
impression upon the minds of many who were present on that occasion. The
result of the influence thus exerted was apparent after His resurrection.
Among those who were then added to the church, there were many whose
conviction dated from the time of Jesus' trial.
175
{EW 174.3}
Satan's rage was great as he saw that all the cruelty which he had
led
the Jews to inflict on Jesus had not called forth from Him the slightest
murmur. Although He had taken upon Himself man's nature, He was sustained
by
a Godlike fortitude, and departed not in the least from the will of His
Father.
-
{EW 175.1}
The Crucifixion of Christ
The Son of God was delivered to the people to be crucified; with
shouts
of triumph they led the dear Saviour away. He was weak and faint from
weariness, pain, and loss of blood by the scourging and blows which He had
received; yet the heavy cross upon which He was soon to be nailed was laid
upon Him. Jesus fainted beneath the burden. Three times the cross was
placed
upon His shoulders, and three times He fainted. One of His followers, a
man
who had not openly professed faith in Christ, yet believed on Him, was
next
seized. Upon him the cross was laid, and he bore it to the fatal spot.
Companies of angels were marshaled in the air above the place. A number of
Christ's disciples followed Him to Calvary, in sorrow, and with bitter
weeping. They called to mind His triumphal ride into Jerusalem but a few
days before, when they had followed Him, crying, "Hosanna in the highest!"
and strewing their garments and the beautiful palm branches in the way.
They
had thought that He was then to take the kingdom and reign a temporal
prince
over Israel. How changed the scene! How blighted their prospects! Not with
rejoicing, not with cheerful hopes, but with hearts stricken with fear and
despair they now slowly, sadly followed Him who had been disgraced and
humbled, and who was about to die.
176
{EW 175.2}
The mother of Jesus was there. Her heart was pierced with anguish
such
as none but a fond mother can feel; yet, with the disciples, she still
hoped
that Christ would work some mighty miracle and deliver Himself from His
murderers. She could not endure the thought that He would suffer Himself
to
be crucified. But the preparations were made, and Jesus was laid upon the
cross. The hammer and the nails were brought. The hearts of the disciples
fainted within them. The mother of Jesus was bowed with agony almost
beyond
endurance. Before the Saviour was nailed to the cross, the disciples bore
her from the scene, that she might not hear the crashing of the spikes as
they were driven through the bone and muscle of His tender hands and feet.
Jesus murmured not, but groaned in agony. His face was pale, and large
drops
of sweat stood upon His brow. Satan exulted in the suffering through which
the Son of God was passing, yet feared that his efforts to thwart the plan
of salvation had been in vain, that his kingdom was lost, and that he must
finally be destroyed. {EW 176.1}
After Jesus had been nailed to the cross, it was raised and with
great
force thrust into the place which had been prepared for it in the ground,
tearing the flesh and causing the most intense suffering. To make the
death
of Jesus as shameful as possible, two thieves were crucified with Him, one
on each side. The thieves were taken by force, and after much resistance
on
their part, their arms were thrust back and nailed to their crosses. But
Jesus meekly submitted. He needed no one to force His arms back upon the
cross. While the thieves were cursing their executioners, the Saviour in
agony prayed for His enemies, "Father, forgive them; for they know not
what
they do." It was not merely agony of body which Christ endured; the sins
of
the whole world were upon Him.
177
{EW 176.2}
As Jesus hung upon the cross, some who passed by reviled Him, wagging
their heads as if bowing to a king, and said to Him, "Thou that destroyest
the temple, and buildest it in three days, save Thyself. If Thou be the
Son
of God, come down from the cross." Satan used the same words to Christ in
the wilderness-- "If Thou be the Son of God." The chief priests, elders,
and
scribes mockingly said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be
the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will
believe Him." The angels who hovered over the scene of Christ's
crucifixion
were moved to indignation as the rulers derided Him and said, "If He be
the
Son God, let Him deliver Himself". They wished there to come to the rescue
of Jesus and deliver Him, but they were not suffered to do so. The object
of
His mission was not yet accomplished. {EW 177.1}
As Jesus hung upon the cross during those long hours of agony, He did
not forget His mother. She had returned to the terrible scene, for she
could
not longer remain away from her Son. The last lesson of Jesus was one of
compassion and humanity. He looked upon the grief-stricken face of His
mother, and then upon His beloved disciple John. He said to His mother,
"Woman, behold thy son!" Then He said to John, "Behold thy mother!" And
from
that hour John took her to his own house. {EW 177.2}
Jesus thirsted in His agony, and they gave Him vinegar and gall to
drink; but when He tasted it, He refused it. The angels had viewed the
agony
of their loved Commander until they could behold no longer, and they
veiled
their faces from the sight. The sun refused to look upon the awful scene.
Jesus cried with a loud voice, which struck terror to the hearts of His
murderers, "It is finished." Then the veil of the temple was rent from the
top to the bottom, the
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earth shook, and the rocks rent. Great darkness was upon the face of the
earth. The last hope of the disciples seemed swept away as Jesus died.
Many
of His followers witnessed the scene of His sufferings and death, and
their
cup of sorrow was full. {EW 177.3}
Satan did not then exult as he had done. He had hoped to break up the
plan of salvation; but it was laid too deep. And now by the death of
Christ
he knew that he himself must finally die, and his kingdom be given to
Jesus.
He held a council with his angels. He had prevailed nothing against the
Son
of God, and now they must increase their efforts and with their power and
cunning turn to His followers. They must prevent all whom they could from
receiving the salvation purchased for them by Jesus. By so doing Satan
could
still work against the government of God. Also it would be for his own
interest to keep from Jesus as many as possible. For the sins of those who
are redeemed by the blood of Christ will at last be rolled back upon the
originator of sin, and he must bear their punishment, while those who do
not
accept salvation through Jesus will suffer the penalty of their own sins.
{EW 178.1}
The life of Christ had ever been without worldly wealth, honor, or
display. His humility and self-denial had been in striking contrast to the
pride and self-indulgence of the priests and elders. His spotless purity
was
a continual reproof of their sins. They despised Him for His humility,
holiness, and purity. But those who despised Him here will one day see Him
in the grandeur of heaven and the unsurpassed glory of His Father. {EW
178.2}
In the judgment hall He was surrounded by enemies who were thirsting
for His blood; but those hardened ones who cried out, "His blood be on us,
and on our children," will behold Him an honored King. All
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the heavenly host will escort Him on His way with songs of victory,
majesty,
and might to Him that was slain, yet lives again, a mighty conqueror. {EW
178.3}
Poor, weak, miserable man spat in the face of the King of glory,
while
a shout of brutal triumph arose from the mob at the degrading insult. They
marred with blows and cruelty that face which filled all heaven with
admiration. They will again behold that face, bright as the noonday sun,
and
will seek to flee from before it. Instead of that shout of brutal triumph,
they will wail because of Him. {EW 179.1}
Jesus will present His hands with the marks of His crucifixion. The
marks of this cruelty He will ever bear. Every print of the nails will
tell
the story of man's wonderful redemption and the dear price by which it was
purchased. The very men who thrust the spear into the side of the Lord of
life will behold the print of the spear and will lament with deep anguish
the part which they acted in marring His body. {EW 179.2}
His murderers were greatly annoyed by the superscription, "The King
of
the Jews," placed upon the cross above His head. But then they will be
obliged to see Him in all His glory and kingly power. They will behold on
His vesture and on His thigh, written in living characters, "King of
kings,
and Lord of lords." They cried to Him mockingly, as He hung upon the
cross,
"Let Christ, the King of Israel, descend from the cross, that we may see
and
believe." They will behold Him then with kingly power and authority. They
will demand no evidence of His being King of Israel; but overwhelmed with
a
sense of His majesty and exceeding glory, they will be compelled to
acknowledge, "Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord." {EW
179.3}
The shaking of the earth, the rending of the rocks,
180
the darkness spread over the earth, and the loud, strong cry of Jesus, "It
is finished," as He yielded up His life, troubled His enemies and made His
murderers tremble. The disciples wondered at these singular
manifestations;
but their hopes were crushed. They were afraid that the Jews would seek to
destroy them also. They felt assured that such hatred as had been
manifested
against the Son of God would not end with Him. Lonely hours they spent in
weeping over their disappointment. They had expected that Jesus would
reign
a temporal Prince, but their hopes died with Him. In their sorrow and
disappointment, they doubted whether He had not deceived them. Even His
mother wavered in her faith in Him as the Messiah. {EW 179.4}
Notwithstanding the disciples had been disappointed in their hopes
concerning Jesus, they yet loved Him and desired to give His body an
honored
burial, but knew not how to obtain it. Joseph of Arimathaea, a wealthy and
influential councilor of the Jews and a true disciple of Jesus, went
privately yet boldly to Pilate and begged from him the Saviour's body. He
dared not go openly, because of the hatred of the Jews. The disciples
feared
that an effort would be made by them to prevent the body of Christ from
having an honored resting place. Pilate granted the request, and the
disciples took the lifeless form down from the cross, while in deep
anguish
they mourned over their blighted hopes. Carefully the body was wrapped in
fine linen, and laid in Joseph's new sepulcher. {EW 180.1}
The women who had been Christ's humble followers while He lived,
would
not leave Him until they saw Him laid in the tomb and a stone of great
weight placed before the door, lest His enemies should seek to obtain His
body. But they need not have feared; for I saw that the angelic host
watched
with untold interest in the resting place of Jesus, earnestly waiting
181
for the command to act their part in liberating the King of glory from His
prison house. {EW 180.2}
Christ's murderers feared that He might yet come to life and escape
them. They therefore asked of Pilate a watch to guard the sepulcher until
the third day. This was granted, and the stone at the door was sealed,
lest
His disciples should steal Him away and say that He had risen from the
dead.
-
{EW 181.1}
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