THE LITERARY MARVELS OF ST. LUKE. 



177 



to his own inclinations. The multitude then very naturally 

 took advantage of his manifest weakness, and cried out, " Away 

 with this man, and release unto us Barabbas," the murderer. 



Again, the third time, did Pilate testify to our Lord's inno- 

 cence, and still further increased his shame, when he feebly 

 descended to argue with his subjects, saying, " Why, what 

 evil hath this man done ? I have found no cause of death 

 in him " ; and again he repeated his proposal of chastisement 

 and release. 



But the voices of the chief priests, of the rulers, and of the 

 people prevailed, and our Lord was condemned by Pilate 

 (xxiii, 24), notwithstanding his great authority as Roman ruler, 

 and that " he had determined to release him " (Acts iii, 13). 



(24) Sifnilar testimonies from three others. 



So careful is our Evangehst to emphasize the fact that our 

 Lord had not broken any human law, that he adds another 

 triphcation. No. (24), containing the evidence of three other 

 men to the same effect. 



Herod could not find any fault in our Lord. 



Secondly, the penitent thief on the cross said of Him, " This 

 man hath done nothing amiss." 



And thirdly, the centurion present at the time exclaimed, 

 " Certainly this was a righteous man." 



(25) ^The three dying sayings of our Lord, recorded by St. Luke. 



With deep reverence we approach the crowning triphcation 

 of the Crucifixion section, No. (25), composed of the three sayings 

 of our Lord upon the cross which St. Luke has recorded. Our 

 Saviour's firm confidence of the acceptance of His atoning 

 Sacrifice is strongly emphasized by them. 



The first saying was, " Father, forgive them ; for they know 

 not what they do." 



As the object for which our Lord came into the world was 

 to obtain pardon for sinners through the shedding of His precious 

 blood, the first sajring recorded is a prayer for the forgiveness 

 of those around Him. His confidence in the efficacy of His 

 atoning work was so great that His prayer had no reference to 

 His own condition. 



Immediately came the firstfruits of the answer. Both of the 

 crucified thieves had railed upon our Lord (Matt, xxvii, 44) ; 

 but soon one of them confessed his sin, and said to the other. 



