Title on the Cross of Christ

    Herod and his men of war arrayed Jesus in mock majesty, and insultingly treated him as an impostor pretending to the throne of David. The title on the cross of Christ, composed by Pilate, was not given on this principle. Pilate, unhappy man, though, overcome by faction and the fear of false accusation, he gave up Christ to his enemies, yet he never insulted him. He feared him even while he condemned him to death. And now he is providentially led to compose a title for the cross of Christ, that proclaims him in his true character. The Jews felt the thing as an acknowledgment of the pretensions of Jesus, and requested him to change it. But he sternly and steadily refused. It must stand written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Even on the cross Jesus is exhibited by his very crucifiers in his true character. The cross of Christ calls to men of all nations in their own language, that Jesus is the true King of Israel, who sits on the throne of his father David. The very devils were obliged to confess the Son of God; and his opposers in every age are obliged to serve the interests of his kingdom, even in the persecution of his people. "And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, the King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written." Here the wrath of man praises God with a loud voice.