Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain
thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers
take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his
anointed.--Psalm ii. 1, 2.
The whole of this Psalm is descriptive of the Messiah, and we are
not destitute of strong proofs to warrant our applying it to Jesus.
We find persons of different denominations and rank in society,
even kings, priests, scribes and pharisees, Jews and Gentiles, in
league to persecute and destroy an innocent individual. Of the Jews
we see Caiaphas the High Priest, at the head of the Sanhedrim, from
day to day in consultation on the best and most effectual methods
to secure and destroy the victim of their displeasure. Of the
Gentile party are Herod and Pilate, deputy kings or governors under
Cæsar, assisted by the Roman soldiers, seconding and consenting to
the plans of the Jewish rulers and people. We see these men forget
their national and personal animosities, to join in the scheme.
Yea Herod and Pilate, although at enmity before, on this occasion
lay aside their resentments, become friends, and act in unison.
But why "do these heathens rage, and against whom do these kings
of the earth set themselves," and wherefore all this consultation
and contrivance? Is it to secure a powerful tyrant, the scourge of
an oppressed nation? Is it to subdue an usurper who has arisen to
trample on and overthrow the existing authorities of the state;
or is it to bring to justice a wretch who has violated her laws,
and by his crimes and enormities become the dread and fear of his
race? No--but it is against the meek and lowly Jesus, who had never
refused to pay tribute to whom tribute was due, who had never
attempted to establish a kingdom amongst the princes of the earth;
but when solicited to do so, had ever checked the proposition, as
his kingdom was not of this world; he could challenge his bitterest
enemies to prove against him any violation of the laws, either of
Moses or Cæsar; nor did Jesus attempt to escape from them, but
was daily to be found either in the temple, or about the city or
its suburbs, attended by a handful of unarmed followers. There is
one circumstance which deserves particular attention, as it tends
to show the extreme warmth and rage of his persecutors. The night
Jesus was apprehended, was the very night the Jews celebrated the
passover: after which ordinance, the whole of the people were
forbidden to go abroad, or leave their houses until the morning.[69]
But so eager were these infuriated people to accomplish their plans,
that in opposition to this Jewish command, they go out to seize
Jesus, whom they take to the palace of the High Priest, where the
scribes and the elders of the people also assemble, to contrive
measures to get Jesus crucified. It appears more than probable that
they sat in council the whole night, as we leave them late in the
evening thus employed, and very early in the morning we find them
still engaged on the same subject. So soon as it is day, they lead
Jesus to the hall of Pilate. "But why do the heathen rage, and the
people imagine a vain thing? Against whom do the kings of the earth
set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together?" How sad their
mistake, if they imagined they were only planning the destruction
of a poor Jewish carpenter's son, when, in fact, their schemes were
against the Lord, and against his anointed. It was not from any
lack of evidence, that they denied Jesus to be the Christ of God.
The language he used on another occasion, is strictly applicable
to them, and to all those who do not acknowledge Jesus as the God
Messiah. "Many good works have I showed you from the Father; for
which of those works do you stone me? if I do not the works of my
Father, believe me not; but if I do, though ye believe not me,
believe the works, that ye may know and believe that the Father is
in me, and I in him." The plea of ignorance when the means of better
information are in our power, will only increase our condemnation.
We may all peruse the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make us
wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, for
"all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto all good works."
[69] Exodus xii. 22.