The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-12-12
THE N CHO
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTs FOR DECEMBER 10.
Subject: Jesus Risen From the Dead,
Matt. xviii, 1-15-Golden Text,
Matt. xviii, 6-Memory Verses,


I. The women at the tome ". ~
/. END of the Sabbath" After the
Jewish Sabbath was past. ITO dawn
The women probably left their homes
at different times. First day of the
week" Christ was in the tomb part
of Friday, all day Saturday and part
Of Sunday. The first day Of the
week-the resurrection day, which
was called by John the Lords day,
has always been observed by Chris
tians as the Christian Sabbath.
Mary Magdalene." She was a ma
tive of Magdala, a town on the Sea
Of Galilee, and was foremost among
the honorable women. THE other
Mary" This was Mary the mother
of James the Less and Joses.
II. The opened sepulchre ". 2).y
2. Earthquake" The earthquake
and the resurrection took place pre-
viously to the arrival of the women.
There was also an earthquake at the
time Of Christ's death (Matt. 27:51).,
"Angel of the Lord Luke says two
men" John says two angels" while
Mark agreeing with Matthew as to
the number speaks Of him as a
young man." These evangelists evil
IDENTIFY speak only of the one who did
the speaking. Rolled back" Not
that Jesus could not have burst the
barrier; but the ministry Of angels
was necessary to give form to the,
transaction to human conception.
III. The angel and his message
Tvs. 3d. 8. "Countenance." In
the original this word refers not only
to the face, but to the general aspect.
lightning" In vivid and intense
brightness. white" This was heav-
enly apparel. 4. 1.-THE keepers"
The Roman guard. "Did shake" The
appearance was sudden and unex-
Dected. GAS dead men," 1t is very
probable that the splendor Of a glort-
fed body is always sufficient to over
whelm the senses and PROSTATE the
strength of a living mortal. See Dan.
S:27; Rev. 1921. 5. "Said unto the
women" The angel who sat upon
the stone had entered the tomb as the
women drew near.
G.. "Not here" Tombs and Ro-
man guards and seals could not hold
the Prince of Life. els risen" The
manner of the reuniting Of Christ's
soul and body in His resurrection Is
a mystery, one Of the secret things
that does not belong to us. "As He
said" See Matt. 1921; 1925 Luke
1922, A, As; 1S:31-33. "See the
place" Pointing doubtless to the
particular cell in the tomb. z. GO
quickly" The resurrection did two
things: l.. I~t.revived the dead hopes
of the disciples. It was a time OF
gladness and brought ~ Joy, 90
victory, 60 faith. Only the fact of
the resurrection a account Tor the
marvellous change that came to them,
by which they were filled with cour-
age to suffer and die. 2. The resur-
rection brought hope to humanity:
az It brought the hope Of immortal
life. (2) It gives assurance of our
own resurrection. go Christ is alive
and is thus able to make His prom
ises good to us. (4) The risen Lord
is the remedy for every trouble. 90
The fear of death and the grave Is re-
moved. Tell His disciples" Instead
of amounting Him Is dead they may
rejoice In His being alive from the
dead.
w. Jesus appears to the women
Tvs. 8-10). 8. With fear" Fear
at what they had seen, Joy at what
they had heard. 9. Jesus met
them" This was the second appear
ance. The first appearance was to
Mary Magdalene mark 16:9). 1t
seems that when she told Peter and
| John of the empty tomb they at once
ran to the sepulcher to see for them
| selves (John 2%0:2-10), and she also
returned at once to the tomb. Dur
ing her absence the other women had
received their commission from the
angel and had hurriedly left. Peter
| and John soon. left also, and Mary
| remained alone at the tomb Weep
ing. It was then that Jesus appeared
unto her (John 20:11-1S). Later In
the morning Jesus met the other
women who had gone to tell the dis.
ciples, who were probably scattered
and may have been some distance
away. Gall hail" Literally, rejoice;
the Greek salutation on meeting and
parting. "Worshiped Him. By fall
ing on the knees and touching the
ground with the forehead.
10. Shall they see Me-" This
public appointment was made In or
der that the whole body Of disciples
might meet the risen Lord.
v. The Roman guard bribed Tvs.
11-15). II. 1.-THE watch" We sup
pose the Quaternion or guard of four
soldiers. ~. Taken counsel"
They probably had a hurried, infor.
NAL meeting to consider the hest
course to pursue. Large money
It took a large bribe to induce them
to thus criminate themselves. 13,
while we slept" The absurdity OF
this position is apparent: 1. The
disciples could not have stolen Jesus
away had they attempted 1t. 2. The
disciples were as much amazed at the
news of the resurrection as were the
priests. 8. The Roman soldiers set
to watch Jesus tomb would not all
be asleep at the same time. 4. The
council could not have voted large
sums of money merely to have re-
ported a truth. S. Sleeping soldiers
could not know what took place.
IA. "Will persuade him." Per
haps by brides or by threatening tc
report his evil deeds to the Roman
emperor. Secure YOU" From the
penalty Of sleeping on guard, which
was death. Is. Until this day.
The story started by the soldiers was
reported until the time of the writing
of this account by Matthew.