The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 399

the populace. 2. This language testifies to the sinfol :ind malicious conrlnct of Christ's enemies. Pilate wns rco.dy enough to see matters as they wore seen by the inAnentirrl clasR among the Jews. llut the case was ~o flrrgrant a case of groundless hatred an,! false accusation, that it was impossible that Pilate should be blinded to the truth. What tho govornor said was litern.lly true-there was no crime in Jesus. 3. We aro justified in accepting this witness to the character of our Lord. As Christians we bclievo, indeed, far more than the Saviour's innocence of the crime of civil insurrection. But wo are at liberty to take this evidence, and to require its acceptance by all students of Ohrist's character and claims. If the historical inquirer will go no further, we may justly expect him to grant that the charge upon which our Lord was put to death was a charge utterly ground less. II. '!'HE GENERAL AND RELIGIOUS I,ESSONS DEDUCIBLE FROM THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PILA.TE. 1. 1t harmonizes wilh the declarations of Scripture concerning the blame- lessness and sinlessness of Jesus. 2. It suggests the ir>qniry why one so blamele8s should endure such undeserved ignominy and suffering. H fa plain from the narrative that Jesus might have avoided what, as a matter of fact, he consented to undergo. There was a reason for this-a reason to be fouod in the Divine purposes regarding the salvation of sinful men. His qualifications are such as fit him for his mighty and merciful office, as the sinless Saviour of a sinful race.-'l'. Vers. 4-8.-Tlie moral courage of Jes'UIJ. We see this if we consider- !. WHAT HE MIGHT HAVE DONE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES There is no virtue in not doing thus if we cannot do otherwise. But what could Jesus do now? 1. He might have not visited the garden on this night. He knew all that was corning. He knew that the devil of pilteriag and covetousness had entered Judas, and that he was then in the city betrayiag him to his thirsty and cruel foes. He entered not the garden in ignorance of what was coming. It would be the easiest thing for him to go elsewhere. 2. He might have escaped 'before his foes were upon him. Apart from his absolute know- ledge of things, the gleamiug light~and subdued talk of the hostile throng would give him sufficient warning, and he could have made his escape under the cover of friendly trees. His little guard slept fast; but he was awake, and specially sensitive to every approaching eight and sound. 3. He might have disappeared from his foes in their very presence. He might have let them come upon him so as to think that he was in their hands, and then at once vanish away from their very clutches, disappoint their fondest hopes, and make fools of them a!L 4. He might, With his power, strike them dead, or into a fit so as to malce their hostile attack quite futile. He just showed them what be could do when he said, "I am he;" they went backwards, and fell to the ground. What produced this? Was it a. flash of his Divinity from without striking terror to his assailants, or a flash of memory from within of his mighty deeds? or was it the effect of the simple moral courage and majesty of that defenceless but heroic One? However, they fell to the ground-a striking illustration of what he might have done. 6. He might have received almighty help from his Father. If he at this time had not many earthly friends, and those not very strong nor skilful in human warfare, he was rich in heavenly allies, and these were all at his command, as he told one of his followers, "Thin.kest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father," etc.? One of these with the brush of his wing slew the mighty Assyrian army, and one of them would sla.y all Chri8t's enemies if he so wished. But he did not use his power nor influence in his own defence. He had sufficient courage to stand a.ll alone. II. WHAT HE DID, 1. He remained in the garden. He was perfectly self-composed. He had a special work to do in the garden. There the coming battle was morally fought and won. There he trained himself for the encounter, edged his sword and put on his armour, and viewed the battle-field. He was too busily engagetl with his Father nnd the business of his life to be disturbed by the approaching foe. 2. He went forth to meet his enemies. He had finished his work there, and his language and action were, "Let us arise, and go hence." He went forth to meet them. His courage was not rash, but discreet, and under the guidance of perfect wisdom. He never went forth to meet his enemies before, for his hour was not come ; but now his hour was come, and as soon as ho heard the clock striko it, instead of waiting their arrival, lie went forth to meet them, He had a great work to do in au hour, and there was no time to lose. His 412 THE GOSPEL AOOORDING TO S'l'. JOllN. [oil. x"nt. 1--40,