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Voice Of Prophecy

H.M.S. Richards

Christ Before Pilate

From Los Angeles, California, we present the program of the Voice of Prophecy, a voice crying in the wilderness of these latter days, prepare ye the way of the Lord.

And now we invite you to listen to our broadcast and share with us the mutual blessing and inspiration of this hour together.

And cast a wishful eye To Canaan's fair and happy land Where my possessions lie We will rest in the fair and happy land by and by, Far across from the evergreen shore.

Sing the song of Moses and the Lamb by and by, And dwell with Jesus evermore.

When shall I reach that happy place and be forever blessed?

When shall I see my father's face, and in his bosom rest?

We will rest in the fair and happy land by and by, far across from the evergreen shore.

Sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, by and by, and well be he but evermore.

O Lord, Thou art the Creator of heaven and earth, all power is Thine.

Strengthen us by Thy Spirit that we may walk worthy of Thee, obedient to Thy holy commandments.

We would be steadfast and faithful unto thee, with joy drawing water from the wells of salvation, the precious promises of thy holy word.

So refresh and strengthen us in every good way, through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.

O Jesus, blessed Redeemer, sent from the heart of God, Hold us who wait before thee.

A world brought face to face once more with the age-old question, what will we do then with a man called Jesus?

Millions today are deciding this question pro and con.

This broadcast of the Voice of Prophecy reviews for our millions of listeners a thrilling chapter in the life of Jesus that we feel sure will draw many thirsty hearts to the fountain of life.

Do you remember the words of the old song, Jesus is standing in Pilate's Hall?

♪ Jesus is standing in Pilate's Hall ♪ ♪ Tremblest forsaken, betrayed by all ♪ ♪ How can what meeteth the sudden call ♪ Glamorous forsaken, betrayed by all.

Someday your heart will be asking, what will he do with me?

Someday your heart will be asking, What will He do with me?

Pictures make a strong impression on the lives of children.

I'm thinking of a picture I used to look at when I was a boy.

Whenever I see it now, I fall under the solemn influence of its mighty theme, its moncossus celebrated painting of Christ before Pilate.

In the 40 or more faces pictured on that great canvas, 1 can detect almost every human emotion.

We see the high priest in the full torrent of his accusations, the stern face of Pilate the judge.

But the face which dominates the scene is the face of the prisoner at the bar of justice, Christ the Son of God.

Here, face to face, we have the spiritual kingdom of heaven, the mightiest empire of this world.

The prisoner and the judge represent 2 great opposites, the power of love and the love of power.

And it is our subject for this broadcast, Christ before Pilate.

And our first text, 1 Timothy 6, verse 12.

"...Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereinto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses, I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things.

And before Jesus Christ, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession, let thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If we are to make a good confession before the world, we shall need to look often at the scene before Pilate's judgment seat.

That is, we ought to read the record of it in the Bible and let the Holy Spirit impress it upon our hearts.

In that way the picture will be right and just as God wants it to be, far better than any human artist could ever paint it.

This trial before Pilate took place early in the morning, according to John 18.28.

Pilate was aroused from his rest and called hastily to the place of judgment, spectators filled the hall early as it was.

But the religious leaders who had already condemned Christ in their own counsel during the night would not enter the judgment hall.

According to their ceremonial law, that would defile them so that they could not take part in the Passover feast.

They did not stop to think that their hearts were defiled of hatred, that Christ was himself the real Passover Lamb, and that since they had rejected him, the feast had lost its meaning for them.

Christ stood before the governor, bound like a common criminal.

In this way the majesty of heaven was insulted by sinners.

It was soon evident to Pilate that Christ was not guilty of sedition as charged by his enemies.

It was plain to him that envy was at the bottom of their charges, and that they did not have any actual evidence at all against Christ, which could legally be the basis for a death sentence.

Christ's countenance was not that of a criminal.

It was the mirror of holiness, love, and purity.

To the surprise of Christ's accusers, he asked for proof of their charges.

They were not prepared to submit proof, and demanded that Pilate take their word that Christ was worthy of death.

According to law, the Jews could find 1 guilty in their religious courts, but they couldn't execute the death sentence.

This they demanded that Pilate do at once.

In their extremity they called these false witnesses, who said that Christ was perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ the King.

All 3 of these charges were false, and these men knew it, but they were willing to commit perjury in order to condemn the innocent Savior.

How far the human heart will descend into the darkness when it turns away from the light of the world.

Pilate didn't believe these false charges, but he turned to Jesus and asked, Are you the King of the Jews?

And Christ replied, Thou sayest it, or what you have said is true.

Caiaphas and the others with him called Pilate to witness that Christ actually did claim to be a king, and the mob took up the cry of accusation.

Insult and abuse were heaped upon him, but he made no answer to his accusers.

The ancient prophecy was fulfilled which said, "...he was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth." Isaiah 53.

The pilot was surprised by the eloquent silence of Jesus.

He was astonished that Christ could bear such mockery without retaliation.

It seemed that the light of conscious innocence shone from his eyes.

Then Pilate said, Answerest thou nothing?

Behold, how many things they witness against thee!

But Jesus yet answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

Then, hoping to find the truth, and get away from the roaring mob, he took Jesus aside privately and asked him as man to man, Art thou the King of the Jews?

The Holy Spirit was striving with Pilate.

This was his great moment of opportunity, and the Saviour answered, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?" In other words, do you honestly wish to know, or is it merely the accusation of the priests?

His problem in the trial of Christ had shifted from 1 of mere information to personal decision which he could not escape.

Almost persuaded now to believe, almost persuaded Christ to receive, seems now some soul to say, Go, spirit, go thy way, Some more convenient day on the isle called, poor man.

Pride rose up in his heart, and Pilate said, Am I a Jew?

Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me.

Reading John 18.35, Pilate threw off conviction, just as many do today.

But Jesus didn't let him go without further light.

While he did not answer Pilate's question directly, he plainly stated his mission to the world and made it clear he was not seeking an earthly throne.

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world.

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Christ Before Pilate

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