TUESDAY.
Christ is Accused before Pilate.
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
