Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-15

sought the city to inform the disciples of
what they had heard. While these women
were on their way to Jerusalem Peter and
John and Mary Magdalene were returning
to the sepulcher, and the latter was per-
mitted to obtain the first view of the risen
Lord. John, xx:1S) 1t was shortly after
the first appearance that Jesus met the
other women Verse % and greeted them
1oice ye." To them he allowed what he
denied to the Magdalene, for they held Him
by the feet and worshiped Him. high
honor indeed at that particular time, the
reason for which can only be conjectured.
DIRECTED.-Gently the Lord spoke
to the women. bidding them not to be
afraid and instructed them to go to the
brethren and say that they might meet Him
promised Matt, xxvi:32). By this He did
not mean that there should be no other
meeting. for on several occasions during
the days following they were with Him in
Jerusalem and in its vicinity duke,
xiv :aD. but He intended. no doubt, to
comfort them with memories of their own
homes. which would be restored to them.
1t is worthy of special note that while
of women. He had little before directed
Mary Magdalene to bear to the brethren
tidings of ascension John, KID, an event
that was forty days distant (Acts. i:3). Two
messages, both referring to distant time.
to be carried to the apostles. How patient
was the Lord Jesus with the men He had
called. who had forsaken Him in the time
OF trial Matt., xxvi:56. Brethren they
still were, to be called back to service by
woman's voice, to be comforted by the fact
Of the resurrection. by the hope Of re-
union, by the prospect OF ascension to
heaven. Women the first heralds Of the
resurrection!
REPORTED.-Whilet that Joyous COM
pany Of devout women passed on toward
the city other feet were approaching on q
far different errand. The Roman soldiers,
who had fallen in stupor at the appearance
Of the angel Matt. xxviii:D, revived after
a little and fled from the sepulcher Re-
covering their mental poise, they entered
Jerusalem and showed the chief priests all
that had been done (verse III. We shall
never known precisely what they reported
They had not seen Jesus, because His first
appearance was to Mary mark, xvi:9). As
they were overpowered at the sight Of the
angel 1t Is probable that they saw moth
Ing beside. except what Peter saw, an
empty tomb Q4uke. xxiv:1O, and that after
they were restored. Hence they could say
nothing except to tell Of the earthquake
of the supernatural visitor with radiant
countenance. and the further and most i'm
We're set to guard. was gone. But that was
sufficient news to hasten their steps to the
city, and It ought to be delivered, as 1t was
to the authorities for they had instructed
the soldiers mark, xxvii:65).
BRIBED.-Here was an awkward d.
lemma. The very men who had caused
Christ to be put to death. who had sought
after His death to prevent any imposition
(Matt.. xxvii:63). hoping to stamp out this
miserable heresy. were confronted by stub
born facts. announced by men who could
have had no motive for falsehood. It was
necessary to silence these witnesses. One
fact alone must be accounted for. the alb
sence Of the body-all else may be passed
over In silence. A little money would se-
cure plausible explanation-the body had
been stolen by disciples while the soldiers
sept oversees 12-14. Plausible? Yes at the
time the only explanation, but In the end
clumsy and sef-evident lie! Roman soldiers
asleep! That meant death. ID asleep how
could they know the body was stolen? If
awake why did they permit It to be stolen?
And what could the disciples want with the
Hfeless form? Could any man hope to re-
trieve a cause supposed to be lost by con.
ceaiing the remains OF q dead Christ and
make men believe that He was alive? And
why was the body not afterward produced
The empty grave told the tale, and the SOL
diers accepted the money (verse 16). The
story was long current among the Jews, but
no one was arrested, showing that no one
believed 1t.
CoNCLUSIoN.-our lesson may be
condensed under three heads: l. Christ
and the angels. Coming from the realms