said 3. And they were saying among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, 4. and looking up, very exceeding great. 5. they tomb? 1And entering into the sepulchre, tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, arrayed in long white garment; a clothed robe; affrighted. and they were amazed. 1 Luke 24:3; John 20: 11, 12. ity, the being possessed by seven demons (Luke 8:2). "Her debt of gratitude was infinite." Mary, the mother of James the less, and Salome, the mother of John. There came other women (Luke) particularly Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward. They probably started from their homes in different parts of the city, with the intention of meeting together at the tomb. This accounts for the variation in the narrative as told by Matthew (28:1), Mark (16: 1), Luke (24: 1), John (20:1). They probably arrived at slightly different times, Mary Magdalene reaching the sepulchre first. "Three women crept at break of day, "Each in her throbbing bosom bore "Myrrh bearers still, at home, abroad, "Rare gifts whose chiefest worth was priced 3. And they said (were saying) among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? In some tombs near the probable site of Calvary "there is a deep groove, about three feet wide, cut out of the rock, by the side of the doorway, under which the rock is hollowed to the same width for two or three feet. In the groove is a huge circular stone, of a diameter greater than the height of the door, like a huge millstone. To close the tomb, this stone was worked by hand-spikes into the socket under the doorway, which it completely filled." "And it would take two or three men to move it." 4. But when they looked they saw that the stone was rolled away from the door of the tomb. THE STONE ROLLED AWAY FROM THE TOMB. Difficulties in the path of duty, difficulties which we dread, which seem insurmountable, are often removed for us by God in unexpected ways, but not till we come to them. There are many examples in Bible history, in modern history, and in individual experience. There is only one way to do, -to go straight forward, doing the work that is given us to-day, and then when we come to the obstacle God will either take it away, or show us a path around it. For instance, (1) the stone is rolled away from the tomb of death by the resurrection and the life. (2) The obstacles in the way of our salvation our hard hearts, our sins, the opposition of friends, the reluctance to do hard duties are removed from those who go forward and trust in Christ. (3) Doctrinal difficulties are removed by doing every duty as it comes to us. Our path is often like a winding way through a forest and among the hills. We can see but a little distance, and cannot know beforehand where the path leads, but when we come to the end of what we can see, a further path opens up to (4) Christian experience, missionary work, the progress of true reform, the conquering of the evils around us, abound in examples. us. THIRD. MARY MAGDALENE, seeing the sepulchre empty hastens away without entering, to tell the disciples the news. FOURTH. THE OTHER WOMEN (v. 5) entering into the sepulchre saw a young man sitting on the right side. Luke speaks of two angels, in shining garments, to show that they were angels. Matthew says this angel's raiment was white as snow, and his countenance was like lightning. The white raiment was a symbol of purity and of fellowship with God (Rev. 3:4, 5, 18; 4:4; 6:11; 7:9-13). And they were affrighted. Amazed at such a sight instead of the dead body of Jesus, they would naturally be alarmed at being so near such divine powers; and they would be afraid lest they had lost their Master. 6. 1And he saith unto them, Be not at amazed: ye of Naz'a-reth, seek Je'sus, the Naz-a-rene', crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold, the place that he goeth before you where they laid him, and were amazed: 3 neither said they any thing to any man; He tomb; trembling and 8. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled astonishment had come upon them: and they said nothing to any one; for they were afraid. Matt. 28: 11. Now when While they were going, behold, some of the into the city, and unto the chief priests all the things that were done. come to pass. shewed watch 12. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, away 13. saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure rid you of care. 15. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying among the Jews, and continueth until this day. is commonly reported 1 Matt. 28:5, 6, 7. 2 Matt. 26: 32; Mark 14: 28. 3 Matt. 28:8; Luke 24:9. 6. Be not affrighted... he is risen; he is not here: behold the place. The angel shows them the grave-clothes, and the face-cloth folded by itself, to show them that he is risen, as he had foretold them, and then he declares that they should soon see him again. 7. Tell his disciples and Peter. Peter is mentioned particularly to show that he is not cast out for his denials, but is one of Christ's disciples, and with his penitent heart will welcome with great joy the fact that Jesus was alive; and perhaps also because Peter would be one of the first to see and believe. That he goeth before you into Galilee. The appearances in Galilee were not the first appearances of Jesus; but they are men. tioned here because "Galilee was appointed to be the scene of his manifestation of himself to the largest assembly of witnesses, and of his most decisive instructions. (See Matt. 28: 16, with 1 Cor. 15: 6.)" — W. N. Clarke. As he said unto you: Matt. 26:32. 8. And they went out quickly, and fled . . . for they trembled, and were amazed, and departed quickly with fear and great joy, and fled from the sepulchre, and ran without stopping to speak to any one. They were astonished and joyful at the good news, but trembled in the presence of angels and amid such intense heavenly interests, and afraid lest the news was too good to be true. It is I. The Appearance to Mary Magdalene, Mark 16:9-12; John 20:11-17. a matter of no little interest that the first appearances of Jesus were not to the apostles, but to women. (1) Probably because they "loved much," and showed their love by going earliest to the sepulchre. The first, the highest, the best revelations of God are to love. (2) It was typical of the changed position which the gospel was to bestow upon woman. Much as the gospel has done for man, it has done still more for woman. (3) It was typical of her work in the church, as a messenger of Christ. Mary, in her gladness, had gone to tell Peter the news. In the meantime the other women had come later, or had remained and entered the tomb. While they fled from the empty tomb, Peter and John were hastening through the narrow streets of the city to the sepulchre. Mary went more slowly and reached the place after they had left. Here Jesus appeared to her, the first of all his appearances after his resurrection. It gives us a deeper glimpse into the heart of Jesus, to learn that to her out of whom he "had cast seven devils was the first vision given of the risen Jesus. Mary looked into the tomb, and said to the angels, They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. It is encouraging to know that the angels of heaven are interested in the redemption of man. Mary's words have been used in later times to express typically feelings toward those who have tried to take the divine nature of Jesus from the Gospels. Mary turned back and saw Jesus himself standing, but thought it was the gardener of the garden in which Jesus was buried. WHY DID SHE NOT RECOGNIZE HIM? (1) She had her eyes dimmed with tears. (2) Jesus himself was altered in his appearance (Mark 16:12), as he must have been by his long agony. A man rescued from drowning was so changed that an intimate friend did not recognize him. (3) His garments certainly must have been changed, as the soldiers had those he was accustomed to wear, probably the simple dress of a gardener. (4) Her mind was occupied with her loss, and she had no thought of seeing Jesus. Probably she did not look up at all at his face. But when Jesus spoke, 166 Mary!" she recognized the old familiar voice, for the voice is one of the last things to change. II. Appearance to the Other Women (Matt. 28:9, 10). Still early Sunday morning. The visit of Peter and John and the appearance to Mary took but a brief time, during which the other women were slowly returning to the city. On their way Jesus met them, and saluted them with "All hail," "Rejoice," the usual form of salutation. They worshipped him, and carried his message to the apostles. III. Appearance to Simon Peter (Luke 24:34). Sunday morning. This must have been a great comfort to him, opening the door of hope, a heavenly benediction of peace over a soul burdened with remorse on account of his denials. He had been to the sepulchre with John, had gone within, and seen the linen cloth. John followed him, and saw and believed. It is not related when Jesus appeared to Peter, but it was before the two disciples had returned from Emmaus. 1 IV. To Two Disciples on the Way to Emmaus, Luke 24:13-31. On the same Sunday afternoon two of Jesus' disciples, the name of one of whom was Clopas, took a walk out of the city to a village named Emmaus, 60 furlongs, about 7 miles northwest of Jerusalem. It is not known exactly where this village was situated. On the way they were communing together on "the all-absorbing question of the hour, the unlookedfor fate of their revered teacher, the sudden overthrow of their hopes, and the startling and incredible news of his resurrection." - Professor Kendrick. While they were thus reasoning together Jesus joined them. Their eyes were holden that they should not know him, so that they did not recognize him, probably for some of the same reasons that kept Mary from recognizing him. "The cause of this was the will of the Lord himself, who would not be seen by them till the time when he saw fit." Alford. "Immediate recognition would have prevented the quiet instruction which followed, by putting them into a tumult of joy, fear, and doubt, as usual in our Lord's miracles." Riddle. One time I was visiting my somewhat aged father, and just at twilight I came up with him walking with another gentleman, and I joined in the conversation. Just as their paths parted, my father whispered to him, "Who is that gentleman who has been walking with us?" He did not recognize his own son, not expecting him, nor taking particular notice. I immediately thought of Mary and of the two disciples going to Emmaus. This gave Jesus the opportunity he desired. "And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself," and through them to the other disciples. When they reached their abode at Emmaus Jesus "made as though he would go further. And they constrained him, saying, 'Abide with us; for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent,' "words which are the theme of one of the most beautiful hymns in the English language. He came in and at the table he took the bread and blessed; and breaking it, he gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, "Was not our heart burning within us, while he spake to us in the way, while he opened to us the scriptures?" Note that expression, "Was not our heart burning within us?" "Their heart began to burn while the stranger expounded scripture, and kept burning, and burning up into ever clearer flame as He went on. . . . This burning of the heart experienced by the two disciples was typical of the experience of the whole early Church when it got the key to the sufferings of Jesus. Their doubt and its removal was common to them with many, and that is why the story is told so carefully by Luke.”—Professor Bruce in Exp. Grk. Test. V. In the Upper Room to the Ten, Thomas being Absent, Luke 24:33-43; John 20:19-24. The two disciples hastened back to the city, and found the ten in the upper room, who reported to the two that Jesus had arisen and had appeared to Peter, while the two rehearsed their experience. Suddenly Jesus stood in the midst of them and said, "Peace be unto you." They were terrified and affrighted, supposing that they beheld a spirit. But Jesus proved that it was himself, in his own body. See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see: for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye behold me having. "And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here anything to eat? 66 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish. And he took it, and ate before them. "Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit." The apostle Thomas was not with them. Think what Thomas missed by being absent from this prayer meeting. He missed seeing Jesus. He missed Jesus' blessing, " Peace be unto you." He missed the conscious presence of Jesus. He missed Jesus' bestowal of the Holy Spirit. He missed Jesus' instruction. He missed Jesus' promise. He missed for a whole week the assurance that his Master and Messiah was living. We ought to make our prayer meetings so full of the presence of Jesus that every one will want to be present at all of them. VI. In the Upper Room, Thomas Present, John 20:26-29. The disciples were gathered the next Sunday evening in the same upper room, Thomas being with them. The doors were shut for Thus Thomas' doubts were made to strengthen the faith of Christians down all the centuries. "After many years of patient examination of the best that has been said and written on this great theme, I have come to the conclusion that the simplest explanation of all the facts of the beginnings of historic Christianity is that the actual physical body of Jesus came out of the tomb in which loving hands had laid it. . . . The behavior of the body of Jesus after the resurrection was no more extraordinary than some things that are happening now."- Rev. Reginald J. Campbell of City Temple, London. The Messages of Christ's Resurrection to Us. FIRST. "The most important event in the history of the world is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." "The whole alphabet of human hope lies in this fact." The most important fact now is the existence of Jesus Christ a living Saviour, sitting Hav on the right hand of God (Rom. 8:34; Col. 3: 1), seated with the Father in his throne (Rev. 3:21; 22:1). We have a picture of his glory in Heb. 1:2-4 and in Rev. 1: 10–18. We do not, as has been falsely charged, worship a dead Christ, but a living Christ. ing shown his power to conquer death, the great enemy, we know he has power to conquer all our enemies. He is the great, living Leader, Inspirer, Protector, Guide, Saviour, and Life of his people, who will make his kingdom to triumph over all evil. As Canon Liddon says, "The resurrection of Christ is the certificate of our Lord's mission from heaven, to which he himself pointed as a warrant of his claims." The very existence of Christianity, the wonderful changes it has wrought in the world for good, is proof that Jesus rose from the dead, and is also the assurance of the continued presence of that wondrous power which has wrought such marvellous works for the redemption of the world. "I firmly believe," says R. J. Campbell, "that the results [of Christ's bodily resurrection] are now apparent to the whole earth and that without it we should not have had the unparalleled spiritual awakening which has produced the Church of Christ. I repeat that it is as certain as anything can be in this world that we should never have heard his name and that there would not have been any Christian evangel to preach." SECOND. The resurrection of Christ is the assurance that death does not end all; that there is an existence beyond death. The soul does not die with the body, for Jesus' soul did not die with his body. Professor Thomson of New York, in his Brain and Personality, proves by various exact experiments that the brain is the instrument of the soul, as distinct from it as the musician is distinct from the organ he plays. The death of the organ is not the death of the musician. In his next place of living he may have a better organ. Death is but the separation of the soul from the body. So Plato (Phado) and the Greek philosophers debated over the famous question whether the relation of the soul to the body is that of Harmony to a Harp, the music ceasing forever when the harp is broken, or of a Rower to a Boat, the rower surviving though the boat be destroyed. "The greatest poets and philosophers held that the relation of the soul to the body is that of the rower to the boat." "Suppose that the musician at your organ has on his finger Gyges' ring, which according to Greek mythology made the wearer invisible. It is entirely clear that if we were to study that instrument while it is in action under the fingers of this invisible musician we should find in it no authority for attributing the anthem proceeding from the organ to the inert matter composing the organ. The soul wears Gyges' ring. It is invisible, but we must infer from the very structure of the nervous system a wholly external agent to set it in motion.”. Condensed from Joseph Cook's Monday Lectures, Biology. The resurrection of Jesus is the assurance of our own resurrection, with spiritual bodies like his glorious body, as shown on the Mount of Transfiguration and described in the first chapter of Revelation, - all sickness, weakness, and pain gone; but new life, new powers, new joys, beyond our highest conception, as much beyond those we now have as the flower in the sunshine, beautiful and fragrant, is beyond the seed under ground. May it not be that the wonderful development of our natural powers by the inventions of Christian civilization are but hints and glimpses and foretastes of the enlarged powers of our spiritual bodies? THIRD. The resurrection of the body in the Apostles' Creed and in our common creeds is often misinterpreted or denied, because Paul's interpretation has been overlooked. In Young's Night Thoughts, the resurrection of the bodies of men is pictured with bones flying through the air, and different parts of the body, widely scattered, coming to join other parts, and so reform the body as it was. I was once pastor of a church where the sexton who had care of the cemetery always buried the dead with their feet toward the East, in order that on the resurrection day each one would rise with his face toward the Lord. But these things do not express what the New Testament teaches concerning the resurrection, especially in 1 Cor. 15. Jesus himself did not have his resurrection body till he ascended. The disciples saw the same body they had seen before the crucifixion. Our present bodies with flesh and bones cannot inherit the kingdom of God, but out from them in some way shall grow spiritual bodies, just as we plant a grain of wheat, and from it grows a tall green plant bearing leaves and grain; or as we plant seeds and the little seed becomes a plant radiant with blossoms; the acorn becomes a spreading oak, with new powers and glories inconceivable in the seed. Or possibly it may be some fitting body exactly adapted to our needs, for God giveth it a body even as it pleased him. |