The Criterion for Religions — Page 11
11 profile of the 'God' of the Christians: He was an Israel- ite born of Mary, daughter of Jacob, and departed from this transitory world at the age of thirty-two. When we reflect how, at the time of his arrest, he could not attain his desire even though he prayed all night, and with what ignominy he was apprehended, and how, as the Christians say, he was drawn upon the cross and died crying 'Eli, Eli' 2 , a shudder all at once runs through us: how can we call such a person the Almighty whose prayer was not accepted by God, and who, after being continuously beaten and harassed, met his death in a state of disappointment and frustration? Just imagine the spectacle of Jesus Christ being sent to Herod after remaining in captivity in the court of Pilate. Is it in keeping with Divine glory that after being arrested, handcuffed and shackled he was sent off to Galilee un- der the custody of a few troopers, suffering their rebukes, and moving from one prison to another in such ignominy? Pilate wanted to release him if only he could show a miracle, but he could show none. Thus Pilate was left with no choice but to return him to prison and hand him over to the Jews, who did not waste any time doing away with him. 2 Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?-Matthew, 27:46 !Publishers I