按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
h the courts of the temple were filled with worshipers。 The high priest from Golgotha was there； splendidly robed in his sacerdotal garments。 White…turbaned priests； full of activity； performed their duties。 But some present were not at rest as the blood of bulls and goats was offered for sin。 They were not conscious that type had met antitype； that an infinite sacrifice had been made for the sins of the world。 They knew not that there was no further value in the performance of the ritual service。 But never before had that service been witnessed with such conflicting feelings。 The trumpets and musical instruments and the voices of the singers were as loud and clear as usual。 But a sense of strangeness pervaded everything。
775
One after another inquired about a strange event that had taken place。 Hitherto the most holy place had been sacredly guarded from intrusion。 But now it was open to all eyes。 The heavy veil of tapestry； made of pure linen； and beautifully wrought with gold； scarlet； and purple； was rent from top to bottom。 The place where Jehovah had met with the high priest； to communicate His glory； the place that had been God's sacred audience chamber； lay open to every eye；a place no longer recognized by the Lord。 With gloomy presentiments the priests ministered before the altar。 The uncovering of the sacred mystery of the most holy place filled them with dread of coming calamity。
Many minds were busy with thoughts started by the scenes of Calvary。 From the crucifixion to the resurrection many sleepless eyes were constantly searching the prophecies； some to learn the full meaning of the feast they were then celebrating； some to find evidence that Jesus was not what He claimed to be； and others with sorrowful hearts were searching for proofs that He was the true Messiah。 Though searching with different objects in view； all were convicted of the same truth；that prophecy had been fulfilled in the events of the past few days； and that the Crucified One was the world's Redeemer。 Many who at that time united in the service never again took part in the paschal rites。 Many even of the priests were convicted of the true character of Jesus。 Their searching of the prophecies had not been in vain； and after His resurrection they acknowledged Him as the Son of God。
Nicodemus； when he saw Jesus lifted up on the cross； remembered His words spoken by night in the Mount of Olives： 〃As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness； even so must the Son of man be lifted up： that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish； but have eternal life。〃 John 3：14； 15。 On that Sabbath； when Christ lay in the grave； Nicodemus had opportunity for reflection。 A clearer light now illuminated his mind； and the words which Jesus had spoken to him were no longer mysterious。 He felt that he had lost much by not connecting himself with the Saviour during His life。 Now he recalled the events of Calvary。 The prayer of Christ for His murderers and His answer to the petition of the dying thief spoke to the heart of the learned councilor。 Again he looked upon the Saviour in His agony； again he heard that last cry； 〃It is finished；〃 spoken like the words of a conqueror。 Again he beheld the reeling earth； the darkened heavens； the rent veil； the shivered rocks； and his faith was forever established。 The very event that destroyed
776
the hopes of the disciples convinced Joseph and Nicodemus of the divinity of Jesus。 Their fears were overcome by the courage of a firm and unwavering faith。
Never had Christ attracted the attention of the multitude as now that He was laid in the tomb。 According to their practice； the people brought their sick and suffering ones to the temple courts； inquiring； Who can tell us of Jesus of Nazareth？ Many had come from far to find Him who had healed the sick and raised the dead。 On every side was heard the cry； We want Christ the Healer！ Upon this occasion those who were thought to show indications of the leprosy were examined by the priests。 Many were forced to hear their husbands； wives； or children pronounced leprous； and doomed to go forth from the shelter of their homes and the care of their friends； to warn off the stranger with the mournful cry； 〃Unclean； unclean！〃 The friendly hands of Jesus of Nazareth； that never refused to touch with healing the loathsome leper； were folded on His breast。 The lips that had answered his petition with the comforting words； 〃I will； be thou clean〃 （Matt。 8：3）； were now silent。 Many appealed to the chief priests and rulers for sympathy and relief； but in vain。 Apparently they were determined to have the living Christ among them again。 With persistent earnestness they asked for Him。 They would not be turned away。 But they were driven from the temple courts； and soldiers were stationed at the gates to keep back the multitude that came with their sick and dying； demanding entrance。
The sufferers who had come to be healed by the Saviour sank under their disappointment。 The streets were filled with mourning。 The sick were dying for want of the healing touch of Jesus。 Physicians were consulted in vain； there was no skill like that of Him who lay in Joseph's tomb。
The mourning cries of the suffering ones brought home to thousands of minds the conviction that a great light had gone out of the world。 Without Christ； the earth was blackness and darkness。 Many whose voices had swelled the cry of 〃Crucify Him； crucify Him；〃 now realized the calamity that had fallen upon them； and would as eagerly have cried； Give us Jesus！ had He still been alive。
When the people learned that Jesus had been put to death by the priests； inquiries were made regarding His death。 The particulars of His trial were kept as private as possible； but during the time when He was in the grave； His name was on thousands of lips； and reports of
777
His mock trial； and of the inhumanity of the priests and rulers； were circulated everywhere。 By men of intellect these priests and rulers were called upon to explain the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Messiah； and while trying to frame some falsehood in reply； they became like men insane。 The prophecies that pointed to Christ's sufferings and death they could not explain； and many inquirers were convinced that the Scriptures had been fulfilled。
The revenge which the priests had thought would be so sweet was already bitterness to them。 They knew that they were meeting the severe censure of the people； they knew that the very ones whom they had influenced against Jesus were now horrified by their own shameful work。 These priests had tried to believe Jesus a deceiver； but it was in vain。 Some of them had stood by the grave of Lazarus； and had seen the dead brought back to life。 They trembled for fear that Christ would Himself rise from the dead； and again appear before them。 They had heard Him declare that He had power to lay down His life and to take it again。 They remembered that He had said； 〃Destroy this temple； and in three days I will raise it up。〃 John 2：19。 Judas had told them the words spoken by Jesus to the disciples while on the last journey to Jerusalem： 〃Behold； we go up to Jerusalem； and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes； and they shall condemn Him to death； and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock； and to scourge； and to crucify Him： and the third day He shall rise again。〃 Matt。 20：18； 19。 When they heard these words； they had mocked and ridiculed。 But now they remembered that Christ's predictions had so far been fulfilled。 He had said that He would rise again the third day； and who could say that this also would not come to pass？ They longed to shut out these thoughts； but they could not。 Like their father； the devil； they believed and trembled。
Now that the frenzy of excitement was past； the image of Christ would intrude upon their minds。 They beheld Him as He stood serene and uncomplaining before His enemies； suffering without a murmur their taunts and abuse。 All the events of His trial and crucifixion came back to them with an overpowering conviction that He was the Son of God。 They felt that He might at any time stand before them； the accused to become the accuser； the condemned to condemn； the slain to demand justice in the death of His murderers。
They could rest little upon the Sabbath。 Though they would not step
778
over a Gentile's threshold for fear of defilement； yet they held a council concerning the body of Christ。 Death and the grave must hold Him whom they had crucified。 〃The chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate； saying； Sir； we remember that that deceiver said； while He was yet alive； After three days I will rise again。 Command therefore that the sepulcher be made sure until the third day； lest His disciples come by night； and steal Him away； and say unto the people； He is risen from the dead： so the last error shall be worse than the first。 Pilate said unto them； Ye have a watch： go your way； make it as sure as ye can。〃 Matt。 27：62…65。
The priests gave directions for securing the sepulcher。 A great stone