Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-05-28
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INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR MAY 81.

Subject: Jesus Risen From the Dead,
John 2O:1.18 - Golden Text,
Rev. 1:18-Commit Verses 15,
18-Commentary.
TIME.-Morning of Sunday, April
9th, A. D. 80. PLACE.-Garden
about Joseph's tomb.
EXPOSITION.-I. Peter and John
Investigating, 1.1O. All the apparent
contradictions in the Gospel narra-
tives would disappear If we knew all
the facts In the case. 1t was dark In
more senses than one as Mary hurried
toward that tomb in which she fancied
her Lord lay, but the sun was soon to
rise and bring to her the brightness
and Joy of an endless day. AS soon
as Mary saw the stone rolled away
she jumped at the conclusion that
the tomb had been rifled. 1t never
occurred to her that her Lord had
risen and that God had rolled away
the stone for her to enter the empty
tomb and hear about her risen LORD.
Thus we often in our ignorance and
unbelief put dark construction upon
facts that are really fraught with the
gladdest meaning. Mary was looking
for a dead Lord and she will shortly
find a risen one. Eagerly did Peter
and John run to the tomb that was
reported robbed. John, being the
younger, reached the tomb first, but
in gentle reverence does not enter,
but stopped to look In. Peter, true
to his impetuous disposition, rushes
right in. He sees the linen clothes
lying and the napkin that had been
about Jesus head carefully rolled to-
gether in a place by itself. This Is
an apparently insignificant detail, but
is one in which there is deep signifi-
eance. 1t is not merely a proof that
the tomb had not been r,iled, leaving
disorder behind. 1t shows us that
Jesus in that supreme moment of His
life displayed that same divine seren-
ity and calmness that marked His
whole career, and instead of eXcitedly
snatching the napkin from His face
and hurting It wherever it might fall,
quietly took it off and in an orderly
way rolled it up and laid it down in
its place. Some would have lis be-
lieve that this story is not fact but
fiction. Where is the master-artiSt
that was capable of this minute but
sublime touch of life, and not merely
human life, but divine life? When
John entered and saw che believed.
1t was ignorance of Scripture that
had kept them from believing up to
that point ". 81. They were respon-
sible for not understanding and be-
lieving before Nuke 24:25. 26).
ii. Mary Weeping, 11-15. 1t was
| love kept Mary lingering at the sep
ulchre, it was unbelief that Kept her
weeping. Again and again had Jesus
told His disciples that He was to be
crucifed, buried, and that He should
| arise again the third day. But this
| was so contrary to their ideas that
| they could not understand it, and it
! found no lodgment in their minds.
| His enemies remembered it (Matt.
27:63), but His friends did not. NO
! wonder Jesus rebuked them for their
unbelief and hardness of heart mark
1914; Luke 24:25, 26). Mary looks
| into the tomb to see If after all there
| is not some mistake about 1t, halt
hoping to see the body of Ler cruci-
| fed Saviour lying there. She sees
| two angels, but she has no eyes for
angels, 1t is her Lord Himself she
wants. Half in wonder and alto
gether in protest the angels exclaim,
woman, why weepest thou?" Marys
| answer Is very touching, Because
! they have taken away my Lord, and
know not where they have laid Him. y
| Her faith was badly shattered, and
yet she still speaks of Jesus as my
| Lord" He was dead Lord, but she
will 90 to Him. And right at her
| back was the living Lord who had
come to her. The darkest hour Mary
ever knew will soon give way to the
| gladdest. Now Mary turns and looks
quite steadfastly at Him, yet does not
recognize Him. How clear 1t is that
we are reading an actual description
of facts, and no skillfully constructed
| fiction No one manufacturing a tale
! of the resurrection would ever nave
made it up in this way. This is lie,
not fancy. Jesus repeats the question
of the angels and adds another,
"Whom seekest thou?" Mary's an
swer to Jesus question has in it an
exquisite touch of life and love: Sir,
II Thou has borne Him hence, tell me
where Thou has laid Him. and will
take Him away
III. Mary Worshiping and Wit
Messing. The way Mary came at last
to recognize her Lord is also deeply
significant. He said just one word,
Mary" There is swift turn and
glad scream, "Rabboni," and she Is
at His feet, seeking to hold them fast.
But Jesus does not suffer her to hold
Him fast. There are other sad hearts
and Mary must leave Him and hurry
to them. mot of Me lay hold-but
60" So there are times when we lie
at Jesus feet and rapturously en-
brace them; but Jesus bids us rather
rise and go tell others the glad truth
that has been made known to us.
Jesus is not ashamed even after His
resurrection to call this weak band of
disciples, so slow of faith, my
brethren" (cf Matt. 28:1O). He is
our Brother still. Jesus speaks of
God the Father not only as my
Father" but also as my God" Moth
ing could bring out more clearly and