The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-04-06
THE Sabbath SCHOOL llsSQD
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR APRIL 10.

mHttueW NV1.s SI-Sb-aOIden
Text; Matt. xv.. 25-Lesson Cominen-
tary by tho Rev. ID. NJ. stearns.
We have our choice OF two lessons for
to-day, either the regular lesson In tho
series, Math. XVII, 2l-29, or this resurrec-
tion lesson, but as the latter, which we
choose, is a brief section we can with great
profit devote a third Of our space to the
former. Having warned His disciples
against the leaven, or false doctrine, ofthe
Pharisees and Sadducees, He drew from
Simon Peter the confession, "Thou art tho
Jesus said, was revelation to Simon from
the Father and was the foundation on
which He would build His church. which
He now mentions for tho first time and
only on one other occasion (Math. xviii.,
1O. He then told them plainly that He
must suffer and die and rise from the dead
the third day, and, when Peter, taught by
satan, objected to this, Christ then
taught the disciples that not only
was death the only way for Him,
but the only way for them also as
His followers. After His resurrection
He called their attention to the fact
that all the prophets had tsught this, say
ing: 30 fools and slow OF heart to believe
all that the prophets have spokenl Ought
not Christ to have suffered these things
and to enter into His gloryp" Ouke xiv,
rs, 26.) It is the great truth which is ever
as when he says: II am cruciled with
Christ. Nevertheless live, yet not I, but
Christ liveth in me-" "We who live arc
always delivered unto death for Jesus
sake, that the life also OF Jesus might be
made manifest in our mortal flesh" "That
may know Him, and the power OF His
resurrection, and the fellowship of His suf-
ferings, being made comfortable unto His
death" (Gal. H., 20; II Cor iv., IL; Phil.
ILL.,, 10Y.
1. And when the Sabbath was past
Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother OF
spices, that they might come and anoint
Him." These women loved Him, followed
Him and ministered unto Him. They also
watched Him to the end and saw His body
laid to rest in Joseph's tomb. then re.
turned and prepared spices and ointmcnts.
and rested the Sabbath day, according to
the commandment Ouke KILL, 90, SO,
Mark xv., 4D. In them and their ministry
is seen great devotion to Him, the mani-
festation Of true and henrtfelt love, but in
this case their love lacked faith, for had
they believed His Oft repeated words, that
He would rise again the third day, they
would not have prepared to anoint His
dead body on that day.
2. "And very early in the morning the
first day OF the week they came unto tho
sepulcher at the rising OF the SUM-" But
they came looking for what they would not
find, for they had no authority to look for
q dead body in a tomb. We may be per-
fectly sure that we shall find everything
exactly as He has sald and therefore It be-
comes us to hold fast these words az be-
ieve God, that 1t shall be even as II was
told me" (Acts xvii, 25).
8. "And they said among themselves,
Who shall roll us away the stone from the
door of the sepulcher2" Had they been
consciously sent OF God on this errand they
might have had the comfort OF Deut. xxxi.
3; John X, 4, but He had not sent them
forth this time. 1t was In itself good
work they hadin view, and great love was
In 1t. and they were true disciples, but this
errand was not of God. 1t was n labor OF
love, but not n work OF faith q Thess. l..
81. II we walk in the good works He has
prepared for US (Eph. ILL.,, 10), we shall do
well, but all others, however seemingly
good, may turn out to be vain works
and Just nothing, for Ho said, without
Me ye can do nothing" (John xv., 81,
which I take to tcach that not only will
our work be nothing without His blessing,
but IL will be as nothing unless He has
done 1t all from the first.
4. "And when they looked they saw that
the stone was rolled away, for 1t was very
great" 1t had not been rolled away that
He might come forth, for II resurrection
body regards no obstacles. Neither had 1t
been rolled away that they might accom-
plish what they had In view, tho amounting
OF His body, but an angel had come from
heaven and rolled back the stone (Math.
xviii, % that they might see and believe
that He meant just what He said when He
told them that Ee would rise again the
third day. Blessed are they that have not
seen and yet have believed (John xx., 8,
29).
3. "And entering into the sepulcher they
saw young man sitting on the right side,
clothed in long white garment and they
were affrighted." By comparing the ac-
counts 1t is clear that there were two an.
gels-some saw one inside and one out
side, and, again, both were inside. There
Is no discrepancy or contradiction. To
send two is generally His way. Two won't
with Him to visit Abraham and to rescue
Lot. Two were sent to tho heavenward
gazing disciples. The twelve and tho sew
enty were sent by twos. Sometimes He
sends but one, rs when He sent Gabriel,
or when He sent Philip from Samaria to
the Ethiopian.
@. "And the faith unto them, Be not af-
frighted. Ye seek Jesus OF Nazareth, which
was cruciaed. He is risen. He is not here.
Behold the place where they laid Him."
They sought ignorantly, but sincerely, and
those who seek find. The word even to
such Is, "Fear not" There Is no ground of
fear to those who are In Him, and from
Gen. xv., i, to the end Of the story 1t Is one
oft repeated "Fear not;" BE not afraid
only believer" "Have faith in God" The
ground of all peace. however, is Jesus cru
cined and risen.
Z. "But 80 your way, tell His disciples
and Peter that He goeth before you unto
Galilee. There shall ye sec Him as He said
unto you" In Math. xviii, Z, II Is, go
quickly and tell" One has said that the
watchwords of Christianity are: "He Is
risen. Go tell" We have not to make up
a fine story and put In perfect form and de-
liver 1t In eloquent language, but go where
and when He sends us and in His words
tell OF Him. His own message to Mary
was, go to My brethren and say unto
them, ascend unto My Father and your
Father. and to My God and your God"
(John Xxx. I'D. He told her the very words
to say. When In answer to the cry, "Whom
shall send and who will go for us?" Isaiah
said, "Here am I; send me.''
8. "And they went out quickly and fed
from the sepulcher, for they trembled aud
were amazed; neither said they anything
to any man. for they were afraid" Per.
haps II they had been walking and serving
by faith they might not have been afraid;
hut we had better look at home: How Is 1t
with me? Am l without fear going quickly
to tell the good news whether men will
hear or forbear?-Lesson Helper.