The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-02
words, leaving no, good ground for the
discinlAs 10 dniihf IN. s.EE

words, \ leaving no, good ground for the
disciples to doubt
SALUTAT1ON.--All through the first
day strange and conflicting ruinors float
ed about Jerusalem. causing much exotic
ment. The statements OF the women,
repeated by the disciples. seemed to
most persons incredible, because SO con-
trary to the expectations Of friends and
foes Besides, the silly story OF tho SOL
diers, which they ,were bribed to put
forth, circulated even before tho message
Of tho women Matt. xxviii:11-15) gained
currency to serve Its bad purpose. One
thing, however, was settled, and might
be verified by all-the body was missing,
What had become of It? In the evening
the disciples came together, probably to
discuss the situation IL possible TO ar
rive at the truth and determine their
proper course Of action. Suddenly there
came into the assembly two who had
returned from the village q Of Enmhls,
declaring that Jesus had appeared to
them. duke. xxiv:l3-35.) They had
scarcely finished their recital, when the
doors Of the room being Shut Jesus
stood among them (verse 19). This was
his fourth manifestation. With great
gentleness Ho saluted the company, say
Ing. Peace BIO unto you.i'' impartlng what
He before had promised John, xv:27).
u
Jesus to the disciples in Jerusalem was
an important event. It Is evident that
up to that time the fact of the resurrec-
ton had scarcely been accepted. The
journey to .Emmaus indicated q dlspo-
stion to scatter. abroad, the hope having
died out Of tho heart, and the words of
the women having made little impression
duke, xxlv:2-24). II His cause is to be
rescued from defeat and His chosen lead
CHI q yc5, "A nr. trsv loci
something must be done quickly to con-
firm their faith. Hence Jesus gathered
tho astonshed men about Him and
showed His hands and side, in which
We're the wounds made by the nails and
the spear John, xix:34), q furnishing the
highest possible evidence that the body
before them was not mere specter, but
the veritable body that hung on tho
cross That exhibit ended all discussion.
They WHO were present were convinced
that their Master had returned to them.
III that hour their faith in the resurrec-
ton became clear. and strong in the minds
of men competent to witness. Their sor-
row passed away. tJohn, xtv:22) Hope
revived and gladness filled their hearts
Verse 20).
coNcLUS1oN-The lesson is chiefly
Christ's resurrection. The entire recital
bears on its face the simple and honest
purpose Of the actors. Women who went
to the grave to embalm a dead body.
showing that they had no thought Of n
Resurrection to life. were the first to tes-
fifty, as they were least likely to pub
lish fasehood. Men. who are gem
orally, inclined to question the superna-
tural, having heard the words Of the
women, were reluctant to believe until
they saw the form OF Jesus, bearing the
marks Of death. and the company that
saw was too large to admit the theory of
a delusion or n conspiracy for fraud.
All this occurred in less than twenty-four
ties for determining the truthfulness OF
any matter. A hand OF terrified and
bewildered Galileans, assembled in the
same city where their Master was con-
dernned. was transformed In single eve
ming into joyous company Of believers,
who, while for time they lacked pur-
pose, yet eventually became earnest her
unto death that Jesus rose from the
grave acts iv:lO.