Before the cross in awe I stood,
Beholding brow and pierced hand;
For me it was He bled and died,
No other price for sin beside
  Could pay the price for me.

His precious blood, there flowing red,
Was love's best gift, most freely shed;
No one but He the price vould pay,
Or save me from death and point the way
  For sinners, you and me.

And as I gaze, I seem to hear
Him gently say, "My son, draw near;
New life I give and power withal,
Free unto all who on Me call,
   Now and eternally."

–  Ernest O. Sellers

Pontius Pilate

The four Gospels all agree that Pontius Pilate was the decisive Roman official at the trial of Jesus. For many years the secular world doubted and denied the historical existance of this man named Pontius Pilate. In 1961 the accidental discovery of an inscription at the ruins of a Roman theater in Caesarea yeilded proof of the existance of this historical figure.

From the Bible and the writings of Tacitus, Josephus and Philo we can lean some facts about Pontius Pilate. Pontius Pilate was the sixth Roman procurator of Judea. He came to his office as prefect of Judea in 26 A.D. In this role he assumed large-scale military and judicial power. He also weilded authority over Jewish leaders and the Temple treasury. His relations with the Jews were generally less than happy. He attempted to introduce Roman military standards in the city. He also attempted to dedicate some golden shields in his Jerusalem residence. In both of these attempts he was defeated and forced to back down. He also tried to take Temple money to finance an aqueduct to bring water to Jerusalem. This action brought resistance and bloodshed (Luke 13:1).

The civil trial of Jesus occurred Friday morning before Pilate. At the trial of Jesus he was confronted with a political allegation, which he took seriously, but vacillated because of his tenuous position at Rome. saw no threat or crime in Jesus. He sent Christ to Herod, who mocked Him and returned Him to Pilate (Luke 23:6-16). Pilate hoped to release Jesus by popular demand but the crowd shouted for him to release Barabbas. They insisted that Pilate crucify Christ. The emperor Tiberius was pro-Jewish and Pilate had no desire to to offend him. Ultimately Pilate gave in and sent Jesus to His death.

Pilate His final year in power saw his disgrace in Judea and Samaria. He was recalled to Rome. When he reached Rome he found Tiberius dead and Caius (Caligula) on the throne (A.D. 36). Tradition adds that soon afterward, 'wearied with misfortunes,' he killed himself.

Sources: The Dictionary of Bible and Religion, William Gentz | The Bible Almanac, White | Easter a Pictorial Pilgrimage - Pierre Benoit |

Easter Quotations

The biggest fact about Joseph's tomb was that it wasn't a tomb at all—it was a room for a transient. Jesus just stopped there a night or two on His way back to glory!

       — Herbert Booth Smith

"Into thy hands." This final word of Jesus brings completion of faith for others, completion of faith for us. Faith in Him leads us at last to trust. We yield our all to Him because we believe what He said about God and life as true.  

— JAMES W. KENNEDY, Advance into Light, 1948

George Dana Boardman