Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/204



I. Pilate  having  brought  Jesus  forth  before  the  people, demanded what  accusations  they  produced  against  Him, when "they  began  to  accuse  Him" — 1. As a  seditious man: "We  have  found  this  man  perverting our  nations." a. They  accuse  Him  of  treason:  we  have  found  Him " forbidding  to  give  tribute  to  Caesar,  and  saying  that He  is  Christ  the  king." (Luke xxii.  2.)  What  odious calumnies were  arrayed  against  the  innocence  of  the Son of  God! " The  sons  of  men  are  liars  in  the  balances." (Ps. lxi.  10.)  It  is  always  an  easy  task  to  calumniate the  innocent.

II. Christ might  easily  have  refuted  these  unjust  accusations, if  He  had  chosen;  but  He  preserved  the  most profound silence,  "  so  that  the  governor  wondered  exceedingly." (Matt, xxvii.  14.)  Our  Lord  fulfilled  the prophecy of  the  Psalmist  on  that  occasion,  "I  have  set  a guard  to  my  mouth,  when  the  sinner  stood  against  me." (Ps. xxxii.  2.)  Oh  that  you  would  act  in  the  same  manner when  you  are  attacked  by  calumny! Observe that an innocent  life  is  the  best  defence  against  defamation. Learn that  courage  and  fortitude  display  themselves  in silence,  and  in  the  contempt  of  injuries  and  affronts. On such  occasions  commit  your  cause  to  divine  Providence; and  then,  "in  silence  and  in  hope  shall  your strength  be." (Is. xxx.  15.)

III. Pilate, seizing  on  the  last  accusation,  asked  Jesus whether He  really  were  the  King  of  the  Jews,  and  He answered,  "  Thou  sayest  it,  but  My  kingdom  is  not  of this  world"  (John  xviii.  36),  nor  does  it  consist  in earthly  greatness,  pomp,  and  state,  but  in  poverty  and