Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-10-28
JOURNALS
SATURDAY
SERMON

No words OF Christ ever gave more COM
fort and cheer 70 his disciples than did
these. Let US briefly review the circum-
stances in the context
Contrary to their expectations Jesus
had been arrested. subjected 10 trial
which was a violation OF all justice; hao
beer. condemned TO death. and executed on
'fhe shameful cross When a few faithful
friends committed his dead body 20 the
tomb the fond hopes OF those who loved
him were buried with him Dazed, hor-
Tor stricken. heart broken. they stood as
under the spell OF a terrible nightmare
The royal. divine man whom they count
ed their king was murdered, MS oody Ias1
decaying. as they believed, In sepulcner.
Hopeless. helpless. without plans, they
were adrift on a dark sea, and II was mid
night Three long days passed; they hA-
cered In Jerusalem they knew not why.
Suddenly IL Is rumorcd that Josephs ton0
is empty Then IL is whispered tnat theH
Iori had been seen alive by Mary Magda-
lene. By Peter. by others Hope reVlVeu,
faith kindled. At last all ground for doubt
was removed. They saw with their own
eves-all OF them-heard him speak IN the
Old tones and were permitted 10 nahaie
him The thrilling. joyous task noooeu
their hearts Ike comfort II Is no dream
no fancy; he is alive. is risen from the
dnadt Ciladuess unspeakahle! Hope at
TORS for the near future. The mighty
earthly kingdom Of Israel was now
certainty. Jesus Will at once proceed 10
orrauize his gOvernment, all the nation
viii ackuowIedge his claim. the hated
Roman power viii be overthroWn' ana
4 glorious era will come. These views were
natural. The spiritual idea of the king
dom they comprehended vaguely. 50 a
shock q sore disappointment, was IN
store for these simple men now so tondly
building air castles. In the midst OF tnelr
bright fancies concerning a great earthly
monarchy Jesus announces his departure.
II ascend TO ny Father commit 10 you
the enterprise Of establishing vast SPIT
ftual kingdom Of God over all the earth!
The fact OF his going away was over
v-heluniur. stunning, but the responsibility
Of establishing his kingdom with the
king absent out OF reach for consulta-
fton. direction and encouragement. this
was crushing. His presence was essenusl
70 them and their work WHAT coulo tney
do without him. What were they IN view
~ such tremendous opposition as they
-.r,ula sorelvt encounter everywhere
AZ this irncture comes the sweet. assur-
sn,r fnspfrinr assertion. destined 70 make
s,Is 4 new world 20 them and all Chris
tfans. Though my human body shall De
Withdrawn from your sight. stun l. the
real. personal Christ, will be with you
aIWHV. even urN0 the emu "a N-A~ 49,
-rithdrev from their sight that he might
take ND his abode in their hearts Tor
ever.
A realization OF this blessed promise
as the secret OF the wonderful scenes
~ Pentecost. Il was the explanation OF
fha heroic courage. strange elOquence.
abounding Joy. extraordinary success ana
.vorderfui endurance Of the disciples SUD
seruent 70 Pentecost- The Lying Jesus
Christ a with US, In US, as We proclaim
hfs- GOSPEL We are his mouthpieces- II
vas the most wildly real fact or their
iiv1s. II meant and still means, tnat IN
fhe Christian Christ dwells and carries
forward his work The incarnation Is re-
4 This A. the blessed heritage OF all fol-
lowers OF Jesus
The Christian needs 20 enter into
vivid consciousness OF the Lords pres
erce. II Is his secret Of life, peace ana
power. Most Christians have far-away
christ. ISOLATED. seated upon a throne
N "a distant realm. Let him come nearer!
let Us realize that he Is here as Wen
as there. True. we cannot see, hear, toucn
or handle him: but X he spoke words OF
truth. he proposes to come into our lives
more vitality than any other life can come
some believers have only periodic eN-
uerience OF his presence. his nearness'
Occasionally Consciousness IS WHO rap
furious. Fellow Christian, Jesus does not
wish 10 be shut away only % be called IN
for emergencies He would abide away.