. The very atmosphere was heavy and
polluted by their influence. The chief priests and elders were
inspired by them to abuse and insult Jesus, in a manner the
most difficult for human nature to bear. Satan hoped that such
insult and sufferings would call forth from the Son of God some
complaint or murmur; or that he would manifest his divine
power, and wrench himself from the grasp of the multitude,
and thus the plan of salvation at last fail.
Peter followed his Lord after his betrayal. He was anxious
to see what would be done with Jesus. And when he was
accused of being one of his disciples, he denied it. He was
afraid of his life, and when charged with being one of them, he
declared that he knew not the man. The disciples were noted
for the purity
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of their words, and Peter, to deceive, and convince them that
he was not one of Christ’s disciples, denied it the third time
with cursing and swearing. Jesus, who was some distance from
Peter, turned a sorrowful, reproving gaze upon him. Then he
remembered the words which Jesus had spoken to him in the
upper chamber, and also his zealous assertion, Though all men
shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
He denied his Lord, even with cursing and swearing; but that
look of Jesus melted Peter at once, and saved him. He bitterly
wept and repented of his great sin, and was converted, and then
was prepared to strengthen his brethren.
The multitude were clamorous for the blood of Jesus.
They cruelly scourged him, and put an old purple, kingly
robe upon him, and bound his sacred head with a crown of
thorns. They put a reed in his hand, and mockingly bowed to
him, and saluted him with, Hail king of the Jews! They then
took the reed from his hand, and smote him with it upon the
head, causing the thorns to penetrate his temples, sending the
trickling blood down his face and beard.
It was difficult for the angels to endure the sight. They
would have delivered Jesus out of their hands; but the
commanding angels forbade them, and said that it was a great
ransom that was to be paid for man; but it would be complete,
and would cause the death of him
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who had the power of death. Jesus knew that angels were
witnessing the scene of his humiliation. I saw that the feeblest
angel could have caused that multitude to fall powerless, and
delivered Jesus. He knew that if he should desire it of
his Father, angels would instantly release him. But it was
necessary that Jesus should suffer many things of wicked men,
in order to carry out the plan of salvation.
There stood Jesus, meek and humble before the infuriated
multitude, while they offered him the meanest abuse. They
spit in his face—that face which they will one day desire to be
hid from, which will give light to the city of God, and shine
brighter than the sun—but not an angry look did he cast upon
the offenders. He meekly raised his hand, and wiped it off.
They covered his head with an old garment; blindfolded him,
and then struck him in the face, and cried out, Prophesy unto
us who it was that smote thee. There was commotion among
the angels. They would have rescued him instantly; but their
commanding angel restrained them.
The disciples had gained confidence to enter where Jesus
was, and witness his trial. They expected that he would
manifest his divine power, and deliver himself from the hands
of his enemies, and punish them for their cruelty towards
him. Their hopes would rise and fall as the different scenes
transpired. Sometimes they doubted, and feared they had been
deceived.
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But the voice heard at the mount of transfiguration, and the
glory they there witnessed, strengthened them that he was the
Son of God. They called to mind the exciting scenes which
they had witnessed, the miracles they had seen Jesus do in
healing the sick, opening the eyes of the blind, unstopping the
deaf ears, rebuking and casting out devils, raising the dead to
life, and even rebuking the wind, and it obeyed him. They
could not believe that he would die. They hoped he would
yet rise in power, and with his commanding voice disperse
that blood-thirsty multitude, as when he entered the temple and
drove out those who were making the house of God a place of
merchandise; when they fled before him, as though a company
of armed soldiers were pursuing them. The disciples hoped that
Jesus would manifest his power, and convince all that he was
the King of Israel.
Judas was filled with bitter remorse and shame at his
treacherous act in betraying Jesus. And when he witnessed the
abuse he suffered, he was overcome. He had loved Jesus, but
loved money more. He did not think that Jesus would suffer
himself to be taken by the mob which he had led on. He
thought that Jesus would work a miracle, and deliver himself
from them. But when he saw the infuriated multitude in the
judgment hall, thirsting for his blood, he deeply felt his guilt,
and while many were vehemently accusing Jesus, Judas
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rushed through the multitude, confessing that he had sinned
in betraying innocent blood. He offered them the money, and
begged of them to release Jesus, declaring that he was entirely
innocent. Vexation and confusion kept the priests for a short
time silent. They did not wish the people to know that they
had hired one of Jesus’ professed followers to betray him into
their hands. Their hunting Jesus like a thief and taking him
secretly, they wished to hide. But the confession of Judas, his
haggard and guilty appearance, exposed the priests before the
multitude, showing that it was hatred that had caused them to
take Jesus. As Judas loudly declared Jesus to be innocent, the
priests replied, What is that to us? See thou to that. They had
Jesus in their power, and they were determined to make sure of
him. Judas, overwhelmed with anguish, threw the money that
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he now despised at the feet of those who had hired him, and in
anguish and horror at his crime, went and hung himself.
Jesus had many sympathizers in that company, and his
answering nothing to the many questions put to him amazed
the throng. To all the insults and mockery not a frown, not a
troubled expression was upon his features. He was dignified
and composed. He was of perfect and noble form. The
spectators looked upon him with wonder. They compared his
perfect form, his firm, dignif
