JESUS IS FIRST LED TO ANNAS.

Read S. John xviii. 12-24.

I. And (they) led Him away to Annas. Ib. 13.

What a different scene in Jerusalem this day to our Lord's triumphal entry but a few days since? How changeable is man! Do I, can I trust in him? Who caused this disgrace? O my soul, remember His sorrows, and bear thine own in silence. Ps. clxvi. 3.

II. The high priest then asked Jesus of His disciples and of His doctrine. Ib. 19.

The Judge arraigned before the criminal! God judged of men! the Just One of sinners! Well may it be to me a small matter to be judged of others. His charity was indeed patient and long suffering. What is mine? 1 Cor. iv. 3.

His disciples had fled.

Ask them which heard Me.

Of them, in charity, He says nothing; of Himself He speaks boldly. So may all who have a conscience void of offence. Is mine such that I may trust to the righteous judgment of God? Ps. l. 6.

Text.

He that judgeth me is the Lord. 1 Cor. iv. 4.

THE FACE OF CHRIST SMITTEN.

Read S. John xviii. 22-24. (Job xvi. 5-11.)

I. One of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand. Ib. 22.

Christ, our Lord and our God, smitten of His miserable creature! Yet He avenges not Himself, but suffers. How unlike me, who suffer, when I suffer, justly, yet strive too often to be avenged! 1 Pet. ii. 20.

II. If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil, but if well, why smitest thou Me? Ib. 23.

Our Lord spake-yet meekly, and with reason. He had borne scourging with patience and silence. Now He speaks, an exam

ple to us of quiet (1 Pet. iii. 14-18), patient, gentle expostulation. His gentle words are instead of my harsh ones. My evil speakings have smitten Him.

III. Annas had sent Him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. Ib. 24.

So Christ is sent from one to another bound, smitten, reviled, despised, ill-treated for me, for my sins, for my salvation! Lord, give me true sorrow, true love. Is. liii. 5.

Text.

They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully. Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; and though I forbear, what am I eased? Job xvi. 10, 6.

OF THE FALSE WITNESS AGAINST JESUS.

Read S. Matt. xxvi. 59-68. (S. Mark.)

I. They sought false witness against Jesus, to put Him to death. Ib. 59.

They determined on His death-they desired an excuse for it. How often have I resolved to act, and looked afterwards for a seemly reason! Let me cast off this veil; it will then appear what my actions really are.

x. 26.

II. But found none. Ib. 60.

S. Matt.

So blameless was the life of Christ. Oh, that the accuser of the brethren could find nothing whereof to accuse me. But in Jesus is per

fection. In Him is no fault. He only is without sin. S. John xix. 4.

III. Answereth Thou nothing? What is it which these witness against Thee? Ib. 62.

There needed no answer, for their testimony agreed not (S. Mark xiv. 59). Those accusations need no answer which have the answer of a holy life. Do I not often excuse, when I inwardly must accuse, myself? Gen, iii.

10-12.

Text.

Such an High Priest became us who is holy, harmless, undefiled. Heb. vii. 26.

CHRIST ADJURED BY CAIAPHAS AND CONDEMNED.

Read S. Matt. xxvi. 62-66; S. Mark xiv. 62.

1. Tell us whether thou be the Christ. Jesus said, I AM. Ib. 63; ib. 62.

answers.

This question was not for truth, but only to seek ground of condemnation. Yet our Lord He confesses God, though it should bring death. How much do I need such boldness for the confession of Him whom I profess to serve. S. Matt. x. 32.

II. Hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Ib. 64.

Thus our Lord hints to His unrighteous judge His twofold advent-His coming as man, His future coming to judgment. If tempted to unjust judgment, remember that day-that judge! Rom. xiv. 10.

III. Then the high priest rent his clothes, &c. Ib. 65.

One more act of hypocrisy and of pretended care for the honour of God. Then all pronounced Him guilty. And indeed He was made guilty for me. In Him may my guilt be pardoned. 2 Cor. v. 21.

Text.

Rend your heart and not your garments. Joel

ii. 13.

OF THE INSULTS BORNE BY CHRIST THAT NIGHT.

Read S. Matt. xxvi. 66-68. (S. Luke, S. John.) I. Then did they spit in His face. Ib. 67.

Look, O Lord, on the face of Thine Anointed, so insulted; in Him see Thyself; in these insults see my sins. By these, my offences are done away. Make me to love and follow Him who bore thus all reproach. 2 Cor. xii.

10.

II. When they had blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face. S. Luke xxii. 64.

Fools, who knew not God, and thought they could be hidden from Him. He is the Searcher of hearts. He knows mine, and all my provocations of Him. 1 Chron. xxviii. 9.

III. And many other things blasphemously spake they against Him. Ib. 65.

And all these He bore. He gave Himself into their hands; oh, that I could give myself into His, to bear, to suffer, for His sake all that He sends me, yea, and to rest in Him for salvation. Is. liii. 7.

Text.

Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. S. Matt. v. 39.