CHRIST EXAMINED BEFORE PILATE.

Read S. Matt. xxvii. 11-14; S. John xviii. 33-35. I. And Jesus stood before the governor. Ib. 11.

Once more the Lord of all stands before the judgment-seat of a creature, in meekness, in humility, even in respect for the office of the ruler. Learn from Him how to conduct thyself when unjustly reproved or blamed by any one set over thee. S. Luke xxi. 14. But if justly?

II. Art Thou the king of the Jews? Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. Ib.

A question asked in half mockery! Answered by Christ to Pilate and to all in earnest, "Thou sayest." Yea, how often daily do I call Him my Lord! How little do I cast off the cords of my sins! How little, how unwillingly do I serve Him as such! Ps. ii. 3; S. Luke xix. 14.

III. Thine own nation hath delivered Thee unto me. What hast thou done! S. John xviii. 35.

T

Let me answer for Him. He hath made all things that are good; He hath done no evil, But if I answer for myself, I am ashamed and confounded. Where are the talents, where are the graces, where the opportunities He has given me? Ps. cvi. 6.

Text.

He hath done all things well. We have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly. S. Mark vii.

37; 2 Chron. vi. 37.

CHRIST'S KINGDOM NOT OF THIS WORLD.

Read S. John xviii. 36-38.

I. My kingdom is not of this world, Ib. 36.

But yet it is the kingdom of kingdoms, and He the King of kings. He reigns in the humble, meek, and contrite heart; and He shall reign in mine. Thou, O Lord, art, even in Thy poverty, my God; and to Thee shall every knee bow. Phil. ii. 6-11.

II. Art Thou a king, then? Ib. 37.

Our Lord denied not that He was a king, but confessed it. Let us believe Him to be, and receive Him as such. Do I make Him so when passions strive for the rule over me? Help me, Lord, then, to say, "Thou art my King." Ps. v. 2.

III. Pilate saith unto Him, What is when he had said this he went out.

truth?

Ib. 38.

And

But, unlike

A question we all need ask. Pilate, we ought to wait for the answer, and so know the truth. That inquiry is not from the heart which only begins, but does not persevere in the search. What is my habit? Matt. xiii. 20-22.

Text.

S.

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. S. John xiv. 6.

CHRIST IS SENT TO HEROD.

Read S. John xviii. 38. (S. Matt., S. Mark, S. Luke.) I. I find in Him no fault at all. Ib.

How could fault be found in the Holiest ! Yet in Him may not I find my sins the cause both of suffering and death? Oh, that I might hate myself and love Him more, and cease from adding to the load He bore for me?

liii. 6.

Is.

II. The chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. S. Mark xv. 3.

Trusting to their own names and offices for proof, not to the truth. His life was the proof of their falsehood; silence His best defence. Have I so lived that, though I were much accused, little could be proved, and my life might speak for me? 1 Pet. iii. 12-16.

III. As soon as he knew that He belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction he sent Him. S. Luke xxiii. 7.

His conscience dared not condemn Jesus. His fears of the people prevented his setting Him free; he wished to leave it to another, careless of the Lord. When we leave the cause of God, and think of ourselves, we are not faithful disciples: our fall is at hand. S. Luke xiv. 26.

Text.

He was afflicted and oppressed, yet He opened not His mouth. Is. liii. 7.

For thoughts on the Gospel of the day, see p. 320.

CHRIST MOCKED BY HEROD.

Read S. Luke xxiii. 8-11.

I. When Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad. He hoped to have seen some miracle. Ib. 8. Were these the joy and desire of a pious man longing for true knowledge of Jesus? No; but of mere curiosity. If I find little or no profit from reading and meditation, may it not be that I seek mere knowledge, not the stirring up of holy affections? 1 Cor. viii. 1-3.

II. He questioned with Him in many words. Ib. 9.

And Jesus "answered him not." Here, indeed, was a miracle, if Herod could have perceived it. A far greater thing (Job xi. 1-6) than we often accomplish, would be silence in the midst of reproach and debate, and concealing our power when not for the glory of God to exert it.

III. Herod, with his men of war, set Him at nought, and mocked Him. Ib. 11.

Thus is eternal Wisdom humbled, that my pride may learn to be abased, and I in the end, through Him, be exalted. And yet the foolish things of this world I embrace; the wise things of eternity I neglect. God, teach 1 Cor. i. 27.

me otherwise.

Text.

I

Ye have set at nought all my counsel. will mock when your fear cometh. Prov. i. 25,

26.

BARABBAS PREFERRED TO CHRIST.

Read S. Matt. xxvii. 15-23; S. Luke xxiii. 15-19.

I Whom will ye that I release unto you, Barabbas, or Jesus? S. Matt. xxvii. 17.

Am I shocked at this insult to my Lord, that He should even be compared with a malefactor? Do I consider how often I commit the same fault, when I doubt between the love of Him and of some earthly creature or appetite? Rom. i. 25.

II. The chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas. Ib. 20..

And Christ had no advocate (Prov. xiv. 20); who is ours? Oh, that we now, at least, might plead for Him in our hearts, mortifying, nay, crucifying the Barabbas within us, and seeking for the life of Jesus in our souls.

III. And they cried out all at once, saying. S. Luke xxiii. 18.

"Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas." Lord, save me from this sin; let me never drive Thee away, nor prefer honour, the world, or the flesh, to my God. Acts iii. 14, 15.

Text.

Let not sin reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Rom.

vi. 12.