Let us mark in these verses, what a striking proof the Jewish rulers gave to their own nation that the times of Messiah had come.
The chapter opens with the fact, that the chief priests bound Jesus and " delivered Him to Pilate," the Koman Governor. Why did they do so ? Because they had no longer the power of putting any one to death, and were under the dominion of the Komans. By this one act and deed they declared that the prophecy of Jacob was fulfilled. " The sceptre had departed from Judah, and the lawgiver from between his feet," and Shiloh the Messiah, whom God had promised to send, must have come. (Gen. xlix. 10.) Yet there is nothing whatever to show that they remembered this prophecy. Their eyes were blinded. They either could not, or would not, see what they were doing.
Let us never forget that wicked men are often fulfilling God's predictions to their own ruin, and yet know it not. In the very height of their madness, folly, and unbelief, they are often unconsciously supplying fresh evidence that the Bible is true. The unhappy scoffers who make a jest of all serious religion, and can scarcely talk of Christianity without ridicule and scorn, would do well to remember that their conduct was long ago foreseen and foretold. (i There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts/' (2 Peter iii.)
Let us mark, secondly, in these verses, the meekness and lowliness of our Lord Jesus Christ. When He stood be- fore Pilate's bar, and was "accused of many things," He answered nothing. Though the charges against Him were false, and He knew no sin, He was content to endure the contradiction of sinners against Himself, not answering
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again. (Heb. xii. 3.) Though he was innocent of any trans- gression, He submitted to bear groundless accusations made against Him without a murmur. Great is the contrast between the second Adam and the first ! Our first father Adam was guilty, and yet tried to excuse him- self. The second Adam was guiltless, and yet made no defence at all. " As a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so openeth he not his mouth." (Isa. liii. 7.)
Let us learn a practical lesson from our Saviour's example. Let us learn to suffer patiently, and not to complain, whatever God may think fit to lay up#n us. Let us take heed to our ways, that we offend not in our tongues^ in the hour of temptation. (Psal. xxxix. 1.) Let us beware of giving way to irritation and ill temper, however* provoking and undeserved our trials may seem to be. Nothing in the Christian character glorifies God so much as patient suffering. " If when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is ac- ceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow His steps." (1 Pet. ii. 20, 21.)
Let us mark, thirdly, in these verses, the wavering and undecided conduct of Pilate.
It is clear from the passage before us that Pilate was convinced of our Lord's innocence. " He knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy." We see him feebly struggling for a time to obtain our Lord's acquit- tal, and to satisfy his own conscience. At last he yields to the importunity of the Jews, and " willing to content the people," delivers Jesus to be crucified — to the eter- nal disgrace and ruin of his own soul.
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