Article June 20, 1903 Issue

Decision versus Indecision

AGNES FLORIDA CHALMERS

The reader of the eighteenth and nineteenth chapters of St. John is astounded at the helpless indecision of Pontius Pilate in passing judgment upon Jesus. The ruler's reluctance to take a firm stand for Truth, followed by his unwilling consent to the crucifixion of Jesus, shows very plainly how malicious evil, if not strongly resisted, first confuses, then influences, and finally takes possession of mortal mind.

Pilate was, when first consulted, unwilling to take an active part on the side of either Truth or error. When Jesus, the representative of Truth, was presented for Pilate's judgment and condemnation, this earthly governor replied thus to the Master's accusers, "Take ye him, and judge him according to your law." Pilate virtually admitted in this statement that he had no wish to stand upon either side. Personally he believed the truth as presented by Jesus was good, but he did not care to take a decided stand for any revelation held in derision by the high priests and their servants.

When the Jews further urged Pilate to take an active part in the death of Jesus, the governor finally consented to investigate the charges against the prisoner. If Pilate had made a thoroughly disinterested study of the sinless life and career of this man of Nazareth; if he had informed himself regarding the Truth and Love set forth in the teaching of this perfect Master of the way of Life; if Pilate, the governor, had called to his hall of judgment the impotent man who had long waited in vain for the moving of the waters (mortal mind laws); if he had interviewed the man born blind, and had summoned Lazarus to tell what things he knew concerning this Jesus of Nazareth,—if Pilate, the ruler, had thus carefully examined into Jesus' true career, he would, undoubtedly, have liberated the prisoner.

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Gethsemane
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