Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 43

"And while He yet spake, behold a mult.i.tude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss Him.

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, _betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss_?" Verses 47, 48.

9. To what place was Christ taken?

"Then took they Him, and led Him, and brought Him _into the high priest's house_. And Peter followed afar off." Verse 54.

10. While at the high priest's house, how did Peter deny Him?

"Another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with Him: for he is a Galilean. And Peter said, _Man, I know not what thou sayest_. And immediately, while he yet spake, the c.o.c.k crew. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter." Verses 59-61.

11. To what insults was Christ subjected at the house of the high priest?

"And _the men that held Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him_. And when they had blindfolded Him, _they struck Him on the face_, and asked Him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote Thee?" Verses 63, 64.

12. Where was Christ next taken?

"And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and _led Him into their council_." Verse 66.

13. What admission did they secure from Him as the basis of condemning Him?

"Then said they all, Art Thou then the Son of G.o.d? And He said unto them, _Ye say that I am_. And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of His own mouth." Verses 70, 71.

14. What was the next step in their plan to secure lawful authority to carry out their unlawful purpose?

"And the whole mult.i.tude of them arose, and _led Him unto Pilate_." Luke 23:1.

15. When Pilate desired Christ released, how did they remonstrate?

"And _they were the more fierce_, saying, _He stirreth up the people_, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place."

Verse 5.

NOTE.-This has ever been a favorite accusation of the enemies of truth against the work of true reformers. The Romans at this very time had a law forbidding the teaching of any new religion "whereby the minds of men may be _disturbed_."

16. When Pilate heard that Christ was from Galilee, what did he do?

"And as soon as he knew that He belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, _he sent Him to Herod_, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time." Verse 7.

17. Who appeared to accuse Christ before Herod?

"And _the chief priests and scribes_ stood and vehemently accused Him."

Verse 10.

18. To what indignities did Herod subject the Saviour?

"And Herod with his men of war _set Him at naught_, and _mocked Him_, and _arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe_, and sent Him again to Pilate." Verse 11.

19. What did Pilate propose to do when Christ was again brought before him?

"I have found no cause of death in Him: _I will therefore chastise Him, and let Him go_." Verse 22.

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

The Crucifixion. "There was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour." Luke 23:44.

20. Instead of consenting to His release, what did Christ's accusers now demand?

"And _they were instant_ [_earnest_] _with loud voices, requiring that He might be crucified_. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed." Verse 23.

21. Although Pilate had declared his belief in Christ's innocence, yet what cruel punishment did he inflict upon Him?

"Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and _scourged Him_." John 19:1.

22. What shameful treatment did Christ receive from the soldiers?

"And _when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head_, and a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! _And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head._" Matt. 27:29, 30.

23. After bringing Him to the place of crucifixion, what drink was offered Christ to stupefy Him?

"They gave Him _vinegar to drink mingled with gall_: and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink." Verse 34.

24. In what prayer for those who crucified Him did Christ manifest the true spirit of the gospel,-love for sinners?

"Then said Jesus, _Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do_."

Luke 23:34.

25. With what words did the chief priests and others mock Jesus while on the cross?

"Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, with the scribes and elders, said, _He saved others; Himself He cannot save_. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him."

Matt. 27:41, 42.

NOTE.-In their blindness they could not see that Christ could not save others and save Himself at the same time.

26. As He cried out in agony on the cross, and said, "I thirst," what was given Him?

"And straightway one of them ran, and _took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar_, and put it on a reed, and _gave Him to drink_." Verse 48. See John 19:28, 29.

27. What closed this terrible scene?

"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said It is finished: _and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost_." John 19:30.

28. By what miracle, and phenomenon in nature did G.o.d indicate the character of the deed which was being committed?

"And it was about the sixth hour [noon], and _there was a darkness over all the earth_ until the ninth hour. And _the sun was darkened_, and _the veil of the temple was rent in the midst_." Luke 23:44, 45.