King of the Jews

King of the Jews, by William T.
Stead

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Title: King of the Jews A story of Christ's last days on Earth
Author: William T. Stead
Release Date: September 23, 2007 [EBook #22735]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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THE JEWS ***

Produced by Al Haines

[Illustration: Cover art]

THE KING

OF THE JEWS

A STORY
OF CHRIST'S LAST DAYS
ON EARTH

ADAPTED FROM THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY
By
WILLIAM T. STEAD

CHICAGO:
The Church Press
104 LaSALLE AVENUE

Copyright 1900 and 1902
By George T. B. Davis.

CONTENTS.
I--JESUS DRIVES OUT MONEY CHANGERS II--JESUS' LAST
JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM III--THE LAST SUPPER
IV--BETRAYED BY A KISS V--PETER COMMITS PERJURY
VI--JUDAS HANGS HIMSELF VII--JESUS, PILATE AND HEROD
VIII--"JESUS OR BARABBAS" IX--THE CRUCIFIXION
X--CONCLUSION

ILLUSTRATIONS.
The entry into Jerusalem
"Knelt down and anointed Jesus' feet."
"Drinking of it he passed the cup to Peter."
"He reached over and kissed him."
"What accusation have you to bring against this man?"
"Jesus staggered under the cross."
"It is finished."
He is risen.
CHAPTER I.
JESUS DRIVES OUT THE MONEY-CHANGERS.
Cast thyself down in adoring love, Race bowed down by the curse of
God! Peace and grace out of Zion above! He is not wroth forever,
Though his wrath be just--though uplifted his rod. Thus saith he, who
changeth never: "I will not the death of a sinner--I will forgive-- Let
him live!" And he gave up his son the world from sin to free, Praise and
thanks we give, Eternal, to thee!
Suddenly there was heard a noise of singing. A great multitude came
pouring down the narrow street that runs past Pilate's house, chanting
as they came, "Hail to thee, O Son of David!" Little children, old men
and maidens ran forward, some raising palm branches, but all ever
looking backward to one who should come. More and ever more
streamed down the street into the open space in front of the temple, but
still the Hosanna song went on.

[Illustration: The entry into Jerusalem.]
At last, in the midst of the jubilant throng, Jesus appeared, clad in a
long garment of gray, over which was cast a flowing robe. His face was
composed and pensive. His long black hair and beard surrounded
features somewhat swarthy from the rays of the hot sun, and he rode on
the side of the ass's colt that seemed almost too small to support his
weight.
John, the beloved disciple, dressed in green raiment with a red mantle,
led the little ass, carrying in his hand a long pilgrim staff. The mob
pressed tumultuously around, singing and crying: "Hosanna to the Son
of David!" Jesus blessed them as he rode through their midst. After
passing the house of Pilate he suddenly dismounted. Then Jesus
advanced to the front of the temple. The hosannas died away as he
contemplated the busy scene. There were the priests busily engaged
with the money-changers. Nathanael, chief orator of the Sanhedrin,
stood conspicuous among the chattering throng. There were baskets
with pigeons for sale as sacrifices. There were the tables of the dealers.
Buying and selling, haggling and bargaining were in full swing in the
market-place.
For a moment Jesus, who was above the average height, and whose
mien was dignified and commanding, stood as if amazed and indignant,
then suddenly burst out upon the astonished throng of priests and
merchants, with the following protest: "What see I here? Shall my
Father's house be thus dishonored? Is this the house of God, or is it a
market-place? How can the strangers who come from the land of the
Gentiles to worship God perform their devotions in this tumult of usury?
And you," he continued, advancing a step toward the priests, who
stared at him in amazement, "You priests, guardians of the temple, can
you see this abomination and permit it to continue? Woe be unto you!
He who searches the heart knows why you encourage such disorder."
The crowd, silent now, watched with eager interest the money-changers
and priests, who but imperfectly understanding what had been said to
them, stared at the intruder.

"Who can this man be?" they asked.
And then from the lips of all the multitude there went up the
simultaneous response, as if the whole throng had but one voice: "It is
the great prophet from Nazareth, in Galilee!"
Jesus, then moving forward into the midst of the