Deliverance from the Cross — Page 45
of his coming and he would welcome its approach rather than seek to be delivered from it. Indeed, as a partner in the Godhead, he was in no need of any supplication but if, nevertheless, he did supplicate his supplication would be acted upon, he would be delivered from death upon the cross and would thus himself frustrate the very purpose of his coming. His supplications in the garden of Gethsemane, therefore, furnish a complete refutation of the fiction that he was a partner in the Godhead and had come into the world to become an atonement for the sins of mankind. Having been apprehended, they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and elders were assembled. He was questioned by the high priest and at the end of the interrogation the high priest rent his clothes, saying, 'He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said, he is guilty of death'. (Matt. 26:65-66) When they had bound him, they led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor'. (Matt. 27:2) 'When Pilate was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a 45