difference to the people’s welfare. And it was probably the raising of Lazarus which determined them, at all hazards, to attempt the destruction of the Holy One and Just. Their own deeds were evil, and they hated the light. Hence their hateful and cruel conspiracy. 2. The baseness of the authorities, The Sanhedrim leagued itself with the Roman governor. With the temple servitors and officers were conjoined the band from Antonia. Discreditable to the Roian authorities, and disgraceful to the Jewish, was this leaguing together for a purpose so unjustifiable. Ecclesiastical and civil authorities concurred in reversing the true canon: they were a praise to evil-doers, and a terror to those who did well. 3. The treachery of the betrayer. Whatever may have been the motive of Judas, his action was traitorous and flagitious. Pre- tending still to be Jesus’ friend, he conspired with his enemies against him, took their money to betray him, and even used to his disadvantage the knowledge his intimac gave him of his Master’s habits of devotion. Unparalleled was the baseneas with whi the traitor betrayed the Son of man with the kiss of the seeming friend. In suffering all this, our Lord showed his readiness to submit for our sake to the uttermost humilia- tion, to the keenest anguish of soul. 4. The cowardice apparent tn the time, place, and manner of the Lord’s apprehension. His indignation with these circumstances the Lord did not conceal, Why did not his enemies seize him in the temple, instead of in the garden? when teaching in public, instead of when praying in private? by day, instead of in the partial darkness of the night? Why did they come armed as against a robber, when they knew him to be peaceable and unresisting ? If all this shows some consciousness of our Lord’s majesty and authority, it certainly reveals the depth and degradation of the iniquity which could work deeds at once so foul and so cowardly. 5. The timidity and desertion of the disciples. Shall we call this excusable weak- ness? If so, it is because we feel that we might have acted as they acted had we been in their place. But, in truth, it was sin. They could not watch with him when he prayed, and they could not stand by him when he was in danger and encompassed by his foes. There is something infinitely pathetic in the simple statement, “They all left him, and fled.” Even Peter, who had protested so lately his readiness to die with him; even John, who had go lately reclined upon Jesus’ breast ; even the young man (was it Mark himself?) whose affectionate curiosity led him to join the sad procession, as it passed through the still streets of Jerusalem !
IL A REVELATION OF CHRIST'S DIVINELY PERFECT CHARACTER. Circumstances of trial prove what is in men, When the sea is smooth and the wind is still, the unsound vessel seems as stout and as safe as that which is seaworthy; the tempest soon makes the difference manifest. Even our sinless, holy Lord shines out more gloriously in his adversity, when the storm breaks upon his head. 1. We recognize in him a calm and dignified demeanour. He had been disturbed and distressed in his solitude, and his feelings had then found vent in strong crying and tears. But his agitation has passed away, and his spirit is untroubled. He meets his enemies with unquailing boldness of heart and serenity of mien. 2. We are impressed with his ready, uncomplaining submission to his fate. He acknowledges himself to be the One whom the high priests’ tnyrmidons are seeking ; he offers no resistance, and forbids resistance on the part of his followers ; he acts as One who knows that his hour has come. There is a marked contrast between the action of our Lord on this and on previous occasions. Before, he
OH. XIV. 1—72.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. 247
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had eluded his foes, and escaped from their hands; now, he yields himself up. His conduct is an illustration of his own word: “ Noone taketh my life away from me; but I lay it down of myself.” 3. We remark his compassion exercised towards one of his captors. The impetuous Peter aims a blow at one of the attendant and armed bonds- men; but Jesus rebukes his frien, and mercifully heals his foe. How like himself, and how unlike all beside! 4. We admire hts willingness to fulfil the Scriptures and the will of God. It was a moment when, in the case of an ordinary man, self would have asserted its claims, and the purposes of Heaven would probably have been lost sight of. It was not so with Jesus. The word of the Father, the will of the Father,—these were pre-eminent in their authority.
IL A srep rowarps CHRIST'S SACRIFICE AND MANS &EDEMPTION. If the whole of our Saviour’s career was part of his mediatorial work, the closing stages were emphati- cally the sacrifice. And it wasin Gethsemane that the last scene opened ; now was the beginning of the end. 1. We discern here conspicuous self-devotion. Jesus appears as Qne baring his breast for the blow. From this moment he has to suffer, and of this he is evidently clearly conscious, and for this prepared. 2. His action is evidently in obedience to the Father ; he treads the path the Father marks out, and drinks the cup the Father presents to his lips. 3. He already stands in our place. The innocent and holy One submits to be treated as a guilty offender; the most benevolent and self- denying of all beings allows himself to share the contumely and the doom of the criminal. He is “‘ numbered with the transgressors.” Unmerited sufferings and insults ‘are endured for our sake by the very Son of God. 4. Thus he prepares for death. ‘He is led as a lamb to the slaughter.” He is bound as a victim, to be laid upon the altar, His sensitive nature tastes, in anticipation, the agonies of the cross, Already he is taking to himself, that he may bear it and bear it away, the sin of the world.
AppLicaTion. How deserving is such a Saviour as this narrative portrays of the faith of every sinner, and of the love and devotion of every believer! His forbearance, patience, and compassion show the tenderness of his heart, and the firmness of his _ purpose to save, ‘This may well justify the confidence of every poor, sinful, helpless heart. His love, his sacrifice, demand our grateful trust. And to such a Saviour what adequate offering can be presented by those who know his power and feel his grace ?
Vers. 53—65.—The trial before Caiaphas, Surely this is the most amazing scene in the long history of humanity! The Redeemer of mankind upon his trial; the Saviour at the bar of those he came to save ;—there is in this something monstrous and almost incredible. But the case is even worse than this. The Lord and Judge of man stands at the tribunal of those who must one day appear before his judgment-seat. They judge him in time whom he must judge in eternity. It is a spectacle the most affect- ing and the most awful this earth has ever witnessed,