632
The Desire of Ages
to humanity. A thought that had once before passed through his mind
now took more definite shape. He questioned whether it might not be a
divine being that stood before him, clad in the purple robe of mockery,
and crowned with thorns.
Again he went into the judgment hall, and said to Jesus, “Whence
art Thou?” But Jesus gave him no answer. The Saviour had spoken
freely to Pilate, explaining His own mission as a witness to the truth.
Pilate had disregarded the light. He had abused the high office of judge
by yielding his principles and authority to the demands of the mob.
Jesus had no further light for him. Vexed at His silence, Pilate said
haughtily:
“Speakest Thou not unto me? knowest Thou not that I have power
to crucify Thee, and have power to release Thee?”
Jesus answered, “Thou couldest have no power at all against Me,
except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered Me
unto thee hath the greater sin.”
Thus the pitying Saviour, in the midst of His intense suffering and
grief, excused as far as possible the act of the Roman governor who
gave Him up to be crucified. What a scene was this to hand down to
the world for all time! What a light it sheds upon the character of Him
who is the Judge of all the earth!
[737]
“He that delivered Me unto thee,” said Jesus, “hath the greater sin.”
By this Christ meant Caiaphas, who, as high priest, represented the
Jewish nation. They knew the principles that controlled the Roman
authorities. They had had light in the prophecies that testified of Christ,
and in His own teachings and miracles. The Jewish judges had received
unmistakable evidence of the divinity of Him whom they condemned
to death. And according to their light would they be judged.
The greatest guilt and heaviest responsibility belonged to those
who stood in the highest places in the nation, the depositaries of sacred
trusts that they were basely betraying. Pilate, Herod, and the Roman
soldiers were comparatively ignorant of Jesus. They thought to please
the priests and rulers by abusing Him. They had not the light which
the Jewish nation had so abundantly received. Had the light been given
to the soldiers, they would not have treated Christ as cruelly as they
did.
Again Pilate proposed to release the Saviour. “But the Jews cried
out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend.” Thus