LESSON VII. THIRD SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT. JESUS BEFORE PILATE. MARK 15: 1-15. 1. And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. 2. And Pilate asked him Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Tnou sayest it. 3. And the chief priests accused him of many things; but he answered nothing. 4. And Pilate a-ked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. 5. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. 6. Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. 7. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. Nov. 12, 1882. 8. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them 9. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? 10. For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. 11. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. 12. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? 13. And they cried out again, Crucify him. 14. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. 15. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged kim, to be crucified. 1. THE QUESTION OF THE JUDGE. Vs. 1-2. GOLDEN TEXT: “He is despised and rejected of men." Isaiah 53: 3. INSTRUCTION. Notice For the full history read MATT. 27: 1-26. LUKE 23: 1-25. JOHN 18: 28-40. the following four stages of His trial: (1) Jesus before the Sanhedrin; (2) before Pilate; (3) before Herod; (4) again before Pilate. Six stages in all. Verse 1. A consultation, a regular meeting of the Sanhedrin on Friday morning. To Pilate, the Roman Governor, who alone had power to put to death. 2. King of the Jews-i. e, the Messiah. Thou sayest it—it is true; I am. 3-5. False charges are not answered. Silence is the best reply. 6. Released a prisoner, in order to please the people. 7. Barabbas, a political prisoner. 9. Pilate wished to release Jesus. 10. Envy; the Jewish teachers were jealous of the great Teacher. 11. A murderer was preferred to Jesus. 12. What shall I do with Jesus? A perplexing question. 13. Crucify Him, instead of Barabbas, who would have met such a fate. 15. Willing to content the people-a weak, cowardly man's indecision. Delivered Jesus, and yet believed Him innocent. "He suffered under Pontius Pilate." CATECHISM. Ques. 46. How dost thou understand these words," He ascended into heaven?" Ans. That Christ, in sight of His disciples, was taken up from the earth into heaven; and that He continues there for our interest, until He come again to judge the quick and the dead. QUESTIONS. Verse 1. What was done early on Friday morning? Who were present? To whom did they deliver Jesus? Why? (See John 18: 32). What did Judas do about this time? (Matt 27: 3-10). : 2-5. What was the question of the Judge? Did our Lord acknowledge the title? What accusation did the Jews make? (Luke 23: 2). Did they say anything about blasphemy now? Why not? What kind of kingdom did Jesus say His is? (See John 18: 36-38). Did Pilate pronounce Jesus guilty, or innocent? 6-7. What custom had Pilate introduced? What notable prisoner was there? What was he? 9-10. Whom did Pilate wish to release ? What feeling did he regard as the cause of Jesus' condemnation ? 11. Who incited the rabble to demand the release of Barabbas? 12. What perplexing question did Pilate ask? Do you accept Him, or reject Him? 13-14. What demand did the crowd make? Was crucifixion a Jewish, or Roman mode of punishment? Were any but slaves and traitors crucified? 15. What was Pilate willing to do? What did he do first to Jesus? What next? Do you crucify Him afresh, and put Him to an open shame? (Heb. 6: 6). "What shall I do with Jesus?" "To Christ, the Prince of Peace." LESSON VII. Nov. 12, 1882. Third Sunday before Advent. I. THE QUESTION OF THE JUDGE. In the morning a consultation. Third stage of the trial. This meeting was a morning session, convened to ratify formally what had been done before with haste and informality. The night was not the time to hold a trial; there was no full attendance, perhaps. It seemed necessary that a regularly called council should condemn the Lord; and now they bound Jesus, and carried Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. This they did, because they had no power to put Him to death, as Pilate had. Thus with His delivery to Pilate, the fourth stage in His trial began. And Pilate asked Him, Art Thou the King of the Jews? Why such a question? What has it to do with the charge of blasphemy, brought by the Jewish court? Nothing whatever. Pilate cared nothing about the Jewish religion, or temple, or anything concerning their laws. Hence these cunning rulers had brought a different charge against Jesus, and laid it before the Governor. This Galilean claims to be the King of the Jews, and as such wishes to excite a political revolution, and wrest Judea from the hands of Cæsar. They brought the charge of a political offense. He refuses to pay tribute to Cæsar, saying that Himself is Christ, the King.' Hence Pilate's question: Art Thou the King of the Jews? The enemies of Jesus thus declared Him to be such a temporal king as they desired; and in that character they delivered Him up to the heathen Pilate. " The answer of Christ was explicit: Thou sayest it; that is, what you say is true. In John 18: 33-38 we have the full reply of Jesus. "My kingdom is not of this world, ** else would My servants fight. **To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice." The effect of these words on Pilate was very great. He was convinced that Jesus was no exciter of revolt, no ambitious demagogue or zealot, but a King in the realm of truth, not of force. Hence it was that Pilate sought to release Jesus. II. THE SILENCE OF THE PRISONER. The chief priests accused Him of many things; to which He answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. He then seut Jesus to Herod, (Luke 23: 5-12), who e soldiers treated Him shamefully. This was the fifth stage in the trial. Herod returned Him to Pilate; who thereupon made this declaration: "I, having examined Him before you, have found no fault in this man; * * no, nor yet Herod; for I sent you to him; and lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto Him. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him." Mark tells of the custom which Pilate had introduced-namely, setting a prisoner free on festive occasions, to deepen the general joy. He now sought to avail himself of this custom by releasing Jesus. III. THE PEOPLE'S WICKED CHOICE. The Jewish rulers were cunning enough to defeat Pilate's good intention. They have already determined who shall be released-Barabbas. "He was plainly a ringleader in one of those fierce outbreaks against the Roman denomination which fast succeeded one another in the latter days of the Jewish commonwealth." "It is remarkable that this man was confessedly guilty of the very crime with which the priests and rulers had falsely charged Jesus-that of sedition; and no plainer proof of their hypocrisy could be given to the watchful Pilate, than their efforts to release the former and to condemn the latter." Father." Bar-Abbas-"son of the He came as "a false Christ," a wouldbe political deliverer, who made insurrection, and had committed murder. Him the rulers preferred to Christ, the Deliverer from sin; and now they persuaded the peop'e to make the same wicked choice. Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? We must give Pilate credit for good intentions. He knew the spirit which actuated the Jewish rulers: he knew that the chief priests had delivered Him for envy. Jesus was a more popular Teacher than they, and this they could not tolerate. They "moved the people that he should rather release Barabbas." It is "no marvel to see murderers desire a murderer." What shall I do with Jesus? This was a perplexing question with Pilate; and it is with many. What shall we do with Him, if we choose Him not as our Lord and Saviour? They cried out, Crucify Him! Why so painful and shameful a death? What evil hath He done? Pilate asks. And the only answer he receives is a fiercer shout: Crucify Him! The mob was now fully aroused, and Pilate quailed before their anger; and wil ing to content the people, released Barabbas, but scourged Jesus and handed Him over to be crucified. The weak, pitiful judge, that knew the right, but feared to bear witness to it. TWO FORTUNES. BY ALICE CARY. I'll tell you two fortunes, my fine little lad, I A I I The scourging was terribly painful, and often resulted in the death of the vic-I tim. He was "stripped to the waist, his hands bound on his back, and he was then tied in a stooping posture to a pillar or post. He was then beaten, till the soldiers chose to stop, with knots of rope, or plaited leather thongs, armed at the end with acorn-shaped drops of lead, or small sharp-pointed bones.' Many prisoners died under the scourge. Our Lord did not, however, being reserved for a still more painful end. TELEGRAPH ENEMIES. Spiders in Japan seriously affect the usefulness of the electric wires. They spin their webs so thickly around and upon them, that when wet with dew they become good conductors and run the message to the earth. In vain men are employed continually in sweeping the wires. The spiders generally outnumber the men, and the difficulty remaius. The bear, too, loves honey, and when he hears the wind buzzing in the wires overhead, he assures himself that somewhere near must be a colony of b es, and, of course, a store of honey for him, so he carefully begins to search among the stones which secure the telegraph poles, to the great disturbance of the system and his own final disappointment.-Sunday. If we would build high, let us begin low and dig deep. A true sense of sin will bring us nearer to Jesus. Once brought to Him, and living a life of faith on Him, we shall bear more fruit to His glory. I Now hear them, and say which you choose. see by the gifts within reach of my hand see a great orchard, its boughs hanging down brown, But all of them sleek and well fed. see flocks of swallows about the barn-door, And I see rising dismally up in the place Oh, if you behold him, my lad, you would wish For his boot toes they gape like the mouth of a fish, And his trousers are out at the knee. LESSON VIII. SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE ADVENT. JESUS MOCKED AND CRUCIFIED. MARK 15: 16-26. 16. And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Pretorium; and they call together the whole band. 17. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, 18. And began to salute him, Hail King of the Jews! 19. And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. 20. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. 21. And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. Nov. 19, 1882, 22. And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received t not. 24. And when they had crucifled him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. 25. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. tion was written over, THE KING OF 26. And the superscription of his accusaTHE JEWS. GOLDEN TEXT: "They pierced My hands and My feet." Ps. 22: 16. INSTRUCTION. The hall was the Verse 16. The soldiers, Roman soldiers on guard at Pilate's residence. court-yard, around which the Prætorium was built. 17. Purple, the color worn by Kings. Here, in mockery. Crown of thorns, instead of a golden crown. The crown was put on Him in mockery; the thorns are the symbol of the curse resting on sin. 19. Reed, instead of a royal sceptre in His hand. Spit upon Him, the token of deepest insult. Worshipped, in mock homage. 20. Led Him out, beyond the city walls. Crucify, to put to death by hanging on a cross. This death was inflicted upon none but slaves and the worst of criminals. 21. Simon, "the father of Rufus and Alexander." Cyrenian, Cyrene is a city in northern Africa. 22. Golgotha. same as Calvary. 23. Gave to drink, offered Him a stupefying drink, to deaden pain. 24. Parted garments; the soldiers received them. 25. Third hour, from sunrise; about 9 o'clock. 26. Superscription, the name, and the charge against Him. CATECHISM. Ques. 47. Is not Christ then with us, even with respect to His human nature, He is no to the end of the world, as He hath more on earth; but with respect to his promised? Godhead, majesty, grace, and Spirit, He is at Ans. Christ is very man and very God: no time absent from us. QUESTIONS. Verse 16. To whom did Pilate deliver Jesus? Whither did they lead Him? What was the Prætorium? 17. What did they put upon Jesus? Of what is purple the badge? Was Jesus a King? Was that particular robe worthy of Him? Was it put upon Him in reverence? What else did He wear? Of what were the thorns an emblem? (See Gen. 3: 18). What crown does He now wear? What crown awaits true Christians? 18-19. What did they say in their mockWhat insults were heaped upon the ery? Lord? 20. Whither did they next lead Him? To do what? To whom did Jesus speak on the way? (See Luke 23: 27-31). 21. Whom did they meet on the way? What did they compel Him to do? Where is Cyrene? 22. What is the meaning of Golgotha? What name is generally used? Where was this place? 23. What did they offer Jesus? What was it to produce? Did He drink it? Why not? 24. What manner of death is crucifixion? What kind of persons only were crucified? What did they do with His garments? What with the seamless robe? (See John 19: 24). 25. At what o'clock did the crucifixion begin? 26. What title did Pilate place over Jesus' head? Is He the King of your heart? Do you serve Him? LESSON HYMN: “O, Sacred Head, now wounded.” LESSON VIII. Nov. 19, 1882 members sin dwells and works, therefore has Christ willed for our sins to suffer in all His members."-Chrysostom. Second Sunday before Advent. I. THE MOCKERY. II. THE WEARY JOURNEY. Led Him out to crucify. And the soldiers led Him into ** Prætorium. The Roman soldiers must He suffered not be held responsible for their mockery" without the gate," in order to show us of Jesus, for they knew little or nothing that we are not to expect sanctification of Him. He was placed into their hands by the sacrifices offered within that city; for crucifixion, and chiefly on account and that He died, not for the Jews only, of the charge of being a rival King. but for all mankind. Heb. 13: 11-14. The Prætorium was the pavement Quesnel. around which the house was built-the inner court or yard. (John 19: 13). This "hall of judgment" was the headquarters of the Roman military gov ernor, wherever he might happen to be. The whole band was a tenth part of a legion, from 300 to 600 men; but here probably only that portion which was actually on duty at the time. Simon of Cyrene. Cyrene was a city in the north of Africa, in which there was a colony of Jews, who maintained a synagogue. To this number belonged Simon, and his two sons Alexander and Rufus. Simon was on a visit to Judea at this time, to take part in the Passover feast. Whether or not he had heard Jesus and believed in Him, we Clothed with purple. A kind of round cannot tell; but, passing our Lord, who cloak, which was fastened to the right was weary and faint, he perhaps exshoulder by a clasp, so as to cover the pressed his pity and friendship in some left side of the body. It was worn by way; and now they laid the cross on military officers; and was generally of him. It was a great privilege to him to purple. They put this on Jesus in bear the burden of the cross for his mockery of His claim of being a King. If a King, surely He ought to have a suitable robe! A Crown of thorns. Kings also wear crowns; and this King must not go uncrowned. Such was the grim sport of the soldiers. Heroes wore crowns of ivy, or of other bright green leaves; the thorn would do for Jesus, they thought. But they builded better than they knew. He who came to bring us blessings, must Himself bear the curse; for the thorn that inflicts pain typifies the curse. (See Gen. 3: 18). Hail, King of the Jews! Of course this was only a mock salutation and ridiculing of Hs claim. Lord. "Must Jesus bear the cross alone, And there's a cross for me." The place Golgotha. The spot on which Jesus was crucified cannot be identified with any certainty. We know it was without the walls, near to the city, and that there was a garden there (Joseph's). The traditional site is ma ked by "the Church of the Sepulchre." Perhaps God did not will that we should know the very spot. "The religion of Carist is spiritual; it needs no relic; it is independent of holy places; it says to each of its children, not-'Lɔ, here!' or Lo, there!' but, The Kingdom of God is within you."-Farrar. Smole Him on the head. The blow of the reed would not have been very painful of itself, but it drove the thorn pricks into His head. Thus, "not one Wine mingled with myrrh. This was member of the Lord's body only, but intended to stupefy the victim, so that His whole body: His head was wounded the pain might not be so acutely felt. by the crown of thorns, by smiting with The Lord tasted, but would not drink the reed; His face suff red spitting and this mixture, preferring to suffer with a cuffs with the hand; His whole body clear mind all the agonies of the cross. was mangled with scourging-it wa stripped, it was covered with a cloak of III. THE CRUCIFIXION. Parted His garments, casting lots. The four soldiers were entitled to the clothes of the sufferers. The outer garment was |