The Passion of the Christ by Ellen G. White

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The greatest guilt and heaviest responsibility belonged to those who stood in the highest places in the nation, the depositaries of sacred trusts that they were basely betraying. Pilate, Herod, and the Roman soldiers were comparatively ignorant of Jesus. They thought to please the priests and rulers by abusing Him. They had not the light which the Jewish nation had so abundantly received. Had the light been given to the soldiers, they would not have treated Christ as cruelly as they did. Again Pilate proposed to release the Saviour. “But the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend.” Thus these hypocrites pretended to be jealous for the authority of Caesar. Of all the opponents of the Roman rule, the Jews were most bitter. When it was safe for them to do so, they were most tyrannical in enforcing their own national and religious requirements; but when they desired to bring about some purpose of cruelty, they exalted the power of Caesar. To accomplish the destruction of Christ, they would profess loyalty to the foreign rule which they hated. “Whosoever maketh himself a king,” they continued, “speaketh against Caesar.” This was touching Pilate in a weak point. He was under suspicion by the Roman government, and he knew that such a report would be ruin to him. He knew that if the Jews were thwarted, their rage would be turned against him. They would leave nothing undone to accomplish their revenge. He had before him an example of the persistence with which they sought the life of One whom they hated without reason. Pilate then took his place on the judgment seat, and again presented Jesus to the people, saying, “Behold your King!” Again the mad cry was heard, “Away with Him, crucify Him.” In a voice that was heard far and near, Pilate asked, “Shall I crucify your King?” But from profane, blasphemous lips went forth the words, “We have no king but Caesar.” Thus by choosing a heathen ruler, the Jewish nation had withdrawn from the theocracy. They had rejected God as their king. Henceforth they had no deliverer. They had no king but Caesar. To this the priests and teachers had led the people. For this, with the fearful results that followed, they were responsible. A nation’s sin and a nation’s ruin were due to the religious leaders. “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just Person: see ye to it.” In fear and self-condemnation Pilate looked upon the Saviour. In the vast sea of upturned faces, His alone was peaceful. About His head a soft light seemed to shine. Pilate said in his heart, He is a God. Turning to the multitude he declared, I am clear of His blood. Take ye Him, and crucify Him. But mark ye, priests and rulers, I pronounce Him a just man. May He whom He claims as His Father judge you and not me for this day’s work. Then to Jesus he said, Forgive me for this act; I cannot save You. And when he had again scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. 497
Pilate longed to deliver Jesus. But he saw that he could not do this, and yet retain his own position and honour. Rather than lose his worldly power, he chose to sacrifice an innocent life. How many, to escape loss or suffering, in like manner sacrifice principle. Conscience and duty point one way, and self-interest points another. The current sets strongly in the wrong direction, and he who compromises with evil is swept away into the thick darkness of guilt. Pilate yielded to the demands of the mob. Rather than risk losing his position, he delivered Jesus up to be crucified. But in spite of his precautions, the very thing he dreaded afterward came upon him. His honours were stripped from him, he was cast down from his high office, and, stung by remorse and wounded pride, not long after the crucifixion he ended his own life. So all who compromise with sin will gain only sorrow and ruin. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12. When Pilate declared himself innocent of the blood of Christ, Caiaphas answered defiantly, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” The awful words were taken up by the priests and rulers, and echoed by the crowd in an inhuman roar of voices. The whole multitude answered and said, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” The people of Israel had made their choice. Pointing to Jesus they had said, “Not this man, but Barabbas.” Barabbas, the robber and murderer, was the representative of Satan. Christ was the representative of God. Christ had been rejected; Barabbas had been chosen. Barabbas they were to have. In making this choice they accepted him who from the beginning was a liar and a murderer. Satan was their leader. As a nation they would act out his dictation. His works they would do. His rule they must endure. That people who chose Barabbas in the place of Christ were to feel the cruelty of Barabbas as long as time should last. Looking upon the smitten Lamb of God, the Jews had cried, “His blood be on us, and on our children.” That awful cry ascended to the throne of God. That sentence, pronounced upon themselves, was written in heaven. That prayer was heard. The blood of the Son of God was upon their children and their children’s children, a perpetual curse. Terribly was it realized in the destruction of Jerusalem. Terribly has it been manifested in the condition of the Jewish nation for eighteen hundred years,—a branch severed from the vine, a dead, fruitless branch, to be gathered up and burned. From land to land throughout the world, from century to century, dead, dead in trespasses and sins! Terribly will that prayer be fulfilled in the great judgment day. When Christ shall come to the earth again, not as a prisoner surrounded by a rabble will men see Him. They will see Him then as heaven’s King. Christ will come in His own glory, in the glory of His Father, and the glory of the holy angels. 498
Page 2 and 3:
Information about this Book Overvie
Page 4 and 5:
Table of Contents Information about
Page 6 and 7:
Chapter 65—The Temple Cleansed Ag
Page 8 and 9:
The angels of glory find their joy
Page 10 and 11:
ecame flesh, and tabernacled among
Page 12 and 13:
exalted. Our little world, under th
Page 14 and 15:
from the Hebrews the meaning of the
Page 16 and 17:
Chapter 3—“The Fullness of the
Page 18 and 19:
The dying words of Jacob filled the
Page 20 and 21:
demons that had controlled the will
Page 22 and 23:
Augustus is made the agent for the
Page 24 and 25:
Son, that the path of life might be
Page 26 and 27:
of Egypt I hallowed unto Me all the
Page 28 and 29:
the words spoken by the shepherds o
Page 30 and 31:
Chapter 6—“We Have Seen His Sta
Page 32 and 33:
“And thou Bethlehem, land of Juda
Page 34 and 35:
years before, had been opened to th
Page 36 and 37:
through a personal acceptance of Go
Page 38 and 39:
By His own example He taught that i
Page 40 and 41:
Chapter 8—The Passover Visit This
Page 42 and 43:
the Jewish nation; but Jesus presen
Page 44 and 45:
As His mission had opened to Jesus
Page 46 and 47:
Chapter 9—Days of Conflict From i
Page 48 and 49:
unbelief and contempt. They could n
Page 50 and 51:
Mary often remonstrated with Jesus,
Page 52 and 53:
Chapter 10—The Voice in the Wilde
Page 54 and 55:
“Thou, child, shalt be called the
Page 56 and 57:
perceptions were clear; he had deve
Page 58 and 59:
soldiers, publicans, and peasants c
Page 60 and 61:
destroyed. At the second advent of
Page 62 and 63:
the heavens opened, and the Spirit
Page 64 and 65:
mansions which Jesus has gone to pr
Page 66 and 67:
knew the position that Christ had h
Page 68 and 69:
There came to the Saviour, as if in
Page 70 and 71:
sure of his prey. If we would meet
Page 72 and 73:
consent to sin. Not even by a thoug
Page 74 and 75:
had wrought marvelously for them; y
Page 76 and 77:
walks by their side and says: Whate
Page 78 and 79:
and all were eager to share in that
Page 80 and 81:
When at the baptism of Jesus, John
Page 82 and 83:
The disciple John was a man of earn
Page 84 and 85:
The teaching of Christ was the expr
Page 86 and 87:
As the guests assemble, many seem t
Page 88 and 89:
As men set forth the best wine firs
Page 90 and 91:
sanctioned the social gathering. A
Page 92 and 93:
Chapter 16—In His Temple This cha
Page 94 and 95:
service. He had given directions in
Page 96 and 97:
Overpowered with terror, the priest
Page 98 and 99:
In these words His meaning was twof
Page 100 and 101:
Chapter 17—Nicodemus This chapter
Page 102 and 103:
nothing that responds to spiritual
Page 104 and 105:
give you, and a new spirit will I p
Page 106 and 107:
was firm as a rock, encouraging the
Page 108 and 109:
his bride, the mission of the frien
Page 110 and 111:
Chapter 19—At Jacob’s Well This
Page 112 and 113:
Jesus now abruptly turned the conve
Page 114 and 115:
was already flashing into her mind.
Page 116 and 117:
The Pharisees despised the simplici
Page 118 and 119:
This woman represents the working o
Page 120 and 121:
Christ was pained that His own peop
Page 122 and 123:
Chapter 21—Bethesda and the Sanhe
Page 124 and 125:
The Jews had so perverted the law t
Page 126 and 127:
interpretation of the law was corre
Page 128 and 129:
characters are to be builded “for
Page 130 and 131:
whom God had sent. “Ye search the
Page 132 and 133:
Chapter 22—Imprisonment and Death
Page 134 and 135:
The Saviour did not at once answer
Page 136 and 137:
or rank, or noble descent, or intel
Page 138 and 139:
scene of music and dancing, and con
Page 140 and 141:
the power of temptation. In this wa
Page 142 and 143:
under the control of bigotry; their
Page 144 and 145:
visitation. The years of the minist
Page 146 and 147:
influence broke every barrier down;
Page 148 and 149:
So angels protected Lot, and led hi
Page 150 and 151:
Messiah. They questioned, If He was
Page 152 and 153:
fisherman’s boat on the Sea of Ga
Page 154 and 155:
Jesus chose unlearned fishermen bec
Page 156 and 157:
Chapter 26—At Capernaum At Capern
Page 158 and 159:
afflicted ones who came to Him felt
Page 160 and 161:
withstood evil spirits. It was by t
Page 162 and 163:
townsmen had tried to take His life
Page 164 and 165:
The leper is guided to the Saviour.
Page 166 and 167:
forth little response of love from
Page 168 and 169:
forgiveness rests upon his spirit,
Page 170 and 171:
Son, who had restored hope to the h
Page 172 and 173:
e His co-labourer. When men appreci
Page 174 and 175:
The disciples of John had not a cle
Page 176 and 177:
of heaven. They thought their own r
Page 178 and 179:
Chapter 29—The Sabbath The Sabbat
Page 180 and 181:
Although the rabbis followed Him wi
Page 182 and 183:
ecause of the loss to the owner if
Page 184 and 185:
Chapter 30—“He Ordained Twelve
Page 186 and 187:
opportunity of introducing them to
Page 188 and 189:
not only a hearer but a doer of the
Page 190 and 191:
Chapter 31—The Sermon on the Moun
Page 192 and 193:
The worldling may pronounce this so
Page 194 and 195:
of the thorn shall come up the fir
Page 196 and 197:
equirements which hemmed in the Jew
Page 198 and 199:
Him. Then true godliness will eleva
Page 200 and 201:
is formed. The original loveliness
Page 202 and 203:
Chapter 32—The Centurion This cha
Page 204 and 205:
shall come from the east and west,
Page 206 and 207:
Chapter 33—Who Are My Brethren? T
Page 208 and 209:
empty, swept, and garnished. Then g
Page 210 and 211:
His brothers often brought forward
Page 212 and 213:
Christ offers depends upon conditio
Page 214 and 215:
through Christ. The longer we are i
Page 216 and 217:
Absorbed in their efforts to save t
Page 218 and 219:
The disciples and their companions
Page 220 and 221:
of Christ. Not one sermon from His
Page 222 and 223:
Chapter 36—The Touch of Faith Thi
Page 224 and 225:
mere intellectual assent to the tru
Page 226 and 227:
Chapter 37—The First Evangelists
Page 228 and 229:
them as divinely appointed teachers
Page 230 and 231:
to false charges concerning the fai
Page 232 and 233:
am I.” He uplifts the distressed
Page 234 and 235:
Chapter 38—Come Rest Awhile This
Page 236 and 237:
understand Him; to them He need not
Page 238 and 239:
Chapter 39—“Give Ye Them to Eat
Page 240 and 241:
In feeding the five thousand, Jesus
Page 242 and 243:
The disciples were the channel of c
Page 244 and 245:
Chapter 40—A Night on the Lake Th
Page 246 and 247:
Unbelief was taking possession of t
Page 248 and 249:
dependence upon Christ. Had he lear
Page 250 and 251:
effort to provide for the life that
Page 252 and 253:
Jesus did not attempt to explain th
Page 254 and 255:
Jesus surrendered to the will of Go
Page 256 and 257:
By the public rebuke of their unbel
Page 258 and 259:
turned from Him might have carried
Page 260 and 261:
in a special manner for His people,
Page 262 and 263:
Chapter 43—Barriers Broken Down T
Page 264 and 265:
household. As a child it is her pri
Page 266 and 267:
Chapter 44—The True Sign This cha
Page 268 and 269:
divine character. The greatest sign
Page 270 and 271:
self-sacrifice, so slow to comprehe
Page 272 and 273:
Sadly the disciples were forced to
Page 274 and 275:
The Saviour did not commit the work
Page 276 and 277:
It was to Peter a bitter lesson, an
Page 278 and 279:
Chapter 46—He Was Transfigured Th
Page 280 and 281:
was now fulfilled. Upon the mount t
Page 282 and 283:
Chapter 47—Ministry This chapter
Page 284 and 285:
Jesus turns to the suffering one, a
Page 286 and 287:
Chapter 48—Who Is the Greatest? T
Page 288 and 289:
giving occasion for misinterpretati
Page 290 and 291:
Again Jesus explained to the discip
Page 292 and 293:
partakers of My grace, in order to
Page 294 and 295:
“Whatsoever ye shall bind on eart
Page 296 and 297:
the white marble steps of the sacre
Page 298 and 299:
which His Father had sent Him. He h
Page 300 and 301:
those who heard Jesus were mourners
Page 302 and 303:
which they professed to be defendin
Page 304 and 305:
and compared written prophecy with
Page 306 and 307:
Impatient at His delay and apparent
Page 308 and 309:
Chapter 51—“The Light of Life
Page 310 and 311:
appearance and His work were so at
Page 312 and 313:
unchallenged, words that from any o
Page 314 and 315:
man sinned, nor his parents: but th
Page 316 and 317:
The Pharisees saw that they were gi
Page 318 and 319:
Chapter 52—The Divine Shepherd Th
Page 320 and 321:
“He that entereth in by the door
Page 322 and 323:
However much a shepherd may love hi
Page 324 and 325:
light and gladness to those darkene
Page 326 and 327:
were first to preach the gospel. Th
Page 328 and 329:
in their imagination. It is true th
Page 330 and 331:
fall upon the impenitent nation. Th
Page 332 and 333:
people. The Saviour’s words had s
Page 334 and 335:
eing in need and suffering. He took
Page 336 and 337:
Chapter 55—Not With Outward Show
Page 338 and 339:
and compromising Christianity. Not
Page 340 and 341:
Chapter 56—Blessing the Children
Page 342 and 343:
As the mother teaches her children
Page 344 and 345:
Chapter 57—“One Thing Thou Lack
Page 346 and 347:
strength and efficiency; for if the
Page 348 and 349:
Chapter 58—“Lazarus, Come Forth
Page 350 and 351:
During the two days Christ seemed t
Page 352 and 353:
godly,” 2 Peter 2:9. From every t
Page 354 and 355:
what passed as a demonstration of g
Page 356 and 357:
power is not summoned to do. God do
Page 358 and 359:
Chapter 59—Priestly Plottings Thi
Page 360 and 361:
ulers asked, “What do we?” Ther
Page 362 and 363:
Chapter 60—The Law of the New Kin
Page 364 and 365:
The one who stands nearest to Chris
Page 366 and 367:
Chapter 61—Zacchaeus This chapter
Page 368 and 369:
ancient Israel as well as for ourse
Page 370 and 371:
Chapter 62—The Feast at Simon’s
Page 372 and 373:
that Judas did not think essential
Page 374 and 375:
een so severely condemned, Christ h
Page 376 and 377:
Simon the host had been influenced
Page 378 and 379:
partaker of the divine nature. The
Page 380 and 381:
an independent nation. All were hap
Page 382 and 383:
that such noisy demonstrations were
Page 384 and 385:
through Him have been healed of her
Page 386 and 387:
Chapter 64—A Doomed People This c
Page 388 and 389:
Like the barren tree, they spread t
Page 390 and 391:
The prophets of God were hated by a
Page 392 and 393:
multitude of your sacrifices unto M
Page 394 and 395:
works throughout the land. He had h
Page 396 and 397:
Like the second son, who, when call
Page 398 and 399:
They must find a stone capable of r
Page 400 and 401:
the righteous is life, will be to t
Page 402 and 403:
of the Roman power, they should ren
Page 404 and 405:
The Sadducees reasoned that if the
Page 406 and 407:
gained a broader view of the princi
Page 408 and 409:
Chapter 67—Woes on the Pharisees
Page 410 and 411:
He also reproved the vanity shown i
Page 412 and 413:
should not be repulsed. Let them la
Page 414 and 415:
The Pharisees built the tombs of th
Page 416 and 417:
“Behold, your house is left unto
Page 418 and 419:
would be given, “Let Him be cruci
Page 420 and 421:
to the time when these words were s
Page 422 and 423:
Chapter 69—On the Mount of Olives
Page 424 and 425:
warned us of this, that we may not
Page 426 and 427:
But the day and the hour of His com
Page 428 and 429:
with the drunken, unites with the w
Page 430 and 431:
Chapter 70—“The Least of These
Page 432 and 433:
pampering pride and selfishness. Th
Page 434 and 435:
Chapter 71—A Servant of Servants
Page 436 and 437:
He poureth water into a basin, and
Page 438 and 439:
After Christ had washed the discipl
Page 440 and 441:
To those who receive the spirit of
Page 442 and 443:
Christ is still at the table on whi
Page 444 and 445:
Though Jesus knew Judas from the be
Page 446 and 447:
eternal by the love of Jesus. And n
Page 448 and 449: Chapter 73—“Let Not Your Heart
Page 450 and 451: e uplifted by its restoring power.
Page 452 and 453: seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him:
Page 454 and 455: provided for His church. The Holy S
Page 456 and 457: saw in him a self-love and assuranc
Page 458 and 459: The life of the vine will be manife
Page 460 and 461: Lord: ... I will preserve Thee, and
Page 462 and 463: Chapter 74—Gethsemane This chapte
Page 464 and 465: Father, if it be possible, let this
Page 466 and 467: had come—that moment which was to
Page 468 and 469: y the Redeemer, “Whom seek ye?”
Page 470 and 471: Chapter 75—Before Annas and the C
Page 472 and 473: temptation to manifest His divine c
Page 474 and 475: Early in His ministry Christ had sa
Page 476 and 477: A high priest was not to rend his g
Page 478 and 479: Peter had not designed that his rea
Page 480 and 481: “Art Thou the Christ?” they sai
Page 482 and 483: thought, and take advantage of circ
Page 484 and 485: things he thought himself wiser tha
Page 486 and 487: mortal. But if He was the Son of Go
Page 488 and 489: the nation, bring to you a man they
Page 490 and 491: the conviction that pressed upon hi
Page 492 and 493: heard Him command the grave to give
Page 494 and 495: Even now Pilate was not left to act
Page 496 and 497: Christ’s enemies had demanded a m
Page 500 and 501: Ten thousand times ten thousand, an
Page 502 and 503: from keeping the Passover. None eve
Page 504 and 505: their guilt; for it was their privi
Page 506 and 507: would utter upon this occasion. Yet
Page 508 and 509: given. “Today” while dying upon
Page 510 and 511: eholder would have been destroyed.
Page 512 and 513: When the loud cry, “It is finishe
Page 514 and 515: into sin. He could not discourage H
Page 516 and 517: love. Understanding the character o
Page 518 and 519: een apparent to heavenly beings tha
Page 520 and 521: lackness, and they stood accused by
Page 522 and 523: Yet they could not prevent it. They
Page 524 and 525: Nicodemus, when he saw Jesus lifted
Page 526 and 527: Command therefore that the sepulchr
Page 528 and 529: At the death of Jesus the soldiers
Page 530 and 531: The priests and rulers were in cont
Page 532 and 533: Chapter 82—“Why Weepest Thou?
Page 534 and 535: assurance that His atonement for th
Page 536 and 537: this hope, and it will hold the sou
Page 538 and 539: preparation, the chief priests and
Page 540 and 541: the Lord Jesus! He has risen from t
Page 542 and 543: “Behold, I stand at the door, and
Page 544 and 545: When Jesus first met the disciples
Page 546 and 547: Chapter 85—By the Sea Once More T
Page 548 and 549:
is required. The reproach of the di
Page 550 and 551:
known Christ after the flesh, as ma
Page 552 and 553:
Chapter 86—Go Teach All Nations T
Page 554 and 555:
garb of humanity, He had walked wit
Page 556 and 557:
will touch invisible chords, whose
Page 558 and 559:
It is in doing Christ’s work that
Page 560 and 561:
soul, body, and spirit to God will
Page 562 and 563:
Christ had sojourned in the world f
Page 564 and 565:
This they say, not because they kno
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The Passion of the Christ by Ellen G. White

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