The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-04
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK
CALCULATION AND REVIEW OF IN
TERNATIONAL LESSON, APRIL 5.
The Resurrection of Christ, MS Told in
Luke xiv, 1-12-RecOrd ON Which
Christianity Is Based.
BY REV. JAMES z. GILBERT,
Secretary of the American Society of Re
ligious Education.

INTRODUCTION.-Su the regular
order of the gospel narrative our lesson
has been selected with reference to the
great church festival (Acts xii, a, which
is observed by hundreds of millions of
believers. 1t is comforting reflection that
Oriental, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and
Reformed, divided on many matters of
creed, government and worship, neverthe-
less unite in commemorating the resurrec-
ton of Jesus. Around the globe may be
heard the joyous notes Of the Easter an
them, proof of that spiritual unity which
is in Him, prophecy of that kingdom
which He came to establish. At each sue
ceeding anniversary new interest is awak-
ened in the narrative, because from a
thousand sources increasing light has been
shed upon 1t until it's every incident is
Respondent with an unearthly luster. Art
and literature combined have enlisted the
highest genius of all centuries to render
vivid the scenes at the sepulchre of Joseph
of Arimathea. And yet the story which has
SO inspired painter and sculptor, poet and
musician, may soon be told. Guided by the
outline Of Luke, and weaving in the utter
ances Of other evangelists. we shall oc-
cupy but little space.
EVENTS.-Jesus was crucified on FRI
day afternoon. The Sababth of the Jews
began at O'clock of the same day (the
seventh day of their week., and ended at
6 o'clock on Saturday. During all this time
while the ritual services were being rem
dered in Jerusalem, according to the law,
the body of Jesus rested in the embrace
of death. The night of Saturday came on
reckoned by the Jews as the beginning of
the first day Of their week. and the Ro-
man soldiers continued their watch over
the sepulchre. Finally the tumult of the
great metropolis ceased and its inhabitants
sank into s,umber. So far as mortal could
judge the Nazarene and His cause had
persisted, and His enemies had triumphed
But the events Of that night changed the
prospect. The record has been made by
a single hand. guided by inspiration Matt
xviii PAD. and that the hand of the pub
lican apostle. There was an earthquake.
The angel OF the Lord descended from
heaven His countenance was like light
ming, his raiment white snow. For fear
of HIM the keepers of the seDulchre trem-
bled and became as dead men. The angel
rolled back the stone and sat upon 1t.
Through that open door Jesus walked, be-
held by NJ human III spl eye the mighty con-
vISITORS.-The precise hour in which the
foregoing events occurred Is unknown, but
it is recorded that the soldiers. recovering
from their fright, fled into the city and re-
ported. Matt. xviii, ILL., After they left, a
company OF women came to the sepulcher
Among them were Mary Magdalene, Joanna
Mary, the mother of James. and others
Verse 12) They were moved by commend
able purpose to anoint the body OF their
loved Master, whose death they supposed te
be absolute and final. They brought sweet
spices which had been purchased och. xiii. 5
Sd, probably on Friday evening after the bur.
ial They were ignorant OF the watch and
seal which had been set after their depart
uIe from the sepu,cher tMatt- xvii 6ol, also
of the occurrences just described. and the,
therefore knew only one hindrance 20 theil
easy performance of love, namely. the grea
placed at the mouth OF the sepulcher. The,
drew near in the ears;r morning. while il was
vet quite dark. just as the first rays Of the
sun began to appear in the east. Naturally
they queried among themselves concerning
the stone, whether their combined strength
was sufficient for It's removal, whether as