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The Seventh Lesson: The Beginning of the End.1031
session, called hastily by its officers to take vigorous action concerning this
impious, heretical imposter who had been allowed to mock at established
order and religion for too long a time. He must be quieted ere he arouse
the people once more. The Roman authorities were warned by the Jewish
ecclesiastics that this dangerous man now approaching the capital claimed
to be the Jewish Messiah, and that His aims were to overturn the Temple
authorities first, and then establish Himself as King of the Jews, and place
Himself at the head of a revolutionary army which would attempt to defy
and defeat the rule of mighty Rome herself.
And so all the machinery was set in motion, and the officers of the law
were all on the alert to take advantage of the first overt act of Jesus and His
followers, and to throw them into prison as enemies of society, religion and
of the state. The Roman authorities were agitated at the reports coming to
them from the highest Jewish authorities, and were prepared to crush the
rebellion at the first sign. The Jewish priests were in solemn convocation and
at the instigation of Caiaphas, the high priest of the Jews, they determined
that nothing but the death of this false Messiah would put an end to the
agitation which threatened to drive them from power and authority. And
so the die was cast.
And meanwhile Jesus was resting in Bethany, surrounded by great throngs
who were pouring into the place to see Lazarus, and to renew their allegiance
to the Master whom they had so basely forsaken. Time-servers ever, the
latest miracles had revived their fading interest and waning faith, and they
flocked around the Master as noisy, enthusiastic and as full of fulsome praise
as ever. And yesterday they had damned Him, and tomorrow they would
cry “Crucify Him!” For such is the nature of the multitude of men. Of the
multitudes of Jesus’ followers, none remained to acknowledge allegiance in
His hour of arrest—even among the chosen twelve, one betrayed Him, one
denied Him, and all fled away when He was taken captive. And for such the
Son of Man lived and taught and suffered. Surely His life was the greatest
miracle of all.