Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-06
Sunday School Lesson for June 7 Discussed
by Rev. J. E. Gilbert. D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.
JESUS APPEARS TO THE APOSTLES. John
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"a. However. he demanded only the
evidence granted TO the others
SALtTED Verse 26,.-The disciples
rea>semhied in the same place after
eight days on the eighth DAY. count
ing the other meeting on the first there
by completing a week From that il ap-
pears that they had thus early set apart
TINS day for public reasscmbliug wit II what
motives no one can say. unless Il was
through the mutual love and need which
they found largely supplied by the new
hope OF the resurrection. Gradually h.
such observance the first DAY Of the
week became the Christian Sabbath.
called also the Lords day ,Rev. i:iol.
Al this second meeting Thomas was pres
ent and the doors were closed as before
So shutting out the curious and those
VINO We're disposed tn evil. And again.
As at the first. Jesus suddenly stood in
the midst. a veritica,ion OF the promise
made Matt. Nviii:20) in one OF His dis
courses on the subject of PRAYER. The
second appearance under such crcum-
stances increases the hope cherished by
believers ever Since--that He will meet
with them. His coming was with the
same beautiful salutation as that given
week before. which none could have for
gotten. Peace be unto YOU"
PROVED Verse o7,.-The second
visit of Jesus 10 the disciples was un-
like the first in one important particular
1t found the company disagreeing on
matter of fact. destined TO be formulated
into doctrine of the church Ten or
them stoutly affirmed upon the personal
knowledge the resurrection of Jesus. One
OF them as stoutly protested that lie
would not believe unless by sight and
touch he knew. 1t was necessary that the
company should be a unit in this matter.
The success Of the Gospel depended on
their agreement. Ten affirming and one
doubling the world would never believe.
IL that was not the only purpose OF
1DSIr in -
time it was evidently one purpose. and
sufficient to induce His presence. So. as
consistent He turned to the only douhter
ard offered him the proof demanded.
with his own hands. this matter-of-fact
man should prove to himself that the
Master was really present and alive BE
not faithless but believing" was the half
chiding but encouraging remark OF Jesus.
CONVINCED Verses os-M-Did
Thomas follow the direction of Jesus?
Did he really thrust his finger into the
wound i'm the Saviors sidec There is
no evidence that he did. In all proba-
bility he did not. The person. the face
the voice. the familiar address of Jesus
made II unnecessary The man was
thoroughly convinced and exclaimed my
Lord and My God" To his mind the fact
that the Savior had risen from the dead
carried proof of divinity. The demon
stration was as complete as IL was sud
den The confession vas given with a
to every honest doubter when SUFFICIENT
evidence is furnished. Thomas was made
ready in that hour to unite with his
brethren in giving a hearty. strong and
united testimony TO the world on the
great doctrine by which the Christian
system was to be established. But Jesus
improved the occasion to let him know
that his faith was not of ,..e highest
order. that they who believed without
seeing We're more blessed, alluding to one
of the chief methods of producing faith
Mark. xvi:16D.
CONCLCSION.-1. We see how care
full Christ was to cultivate faith in His
followers. He might. had He pleased.
have removed all traces Of wounds from
His risen body. He suffered them to re-
main as marks of identity and ground OF
confidence. , We see how much a man
loses by absence from fellowship of tine
faithful Thomas delayed the apostolic
college one week and made second ap-
pearance necessary. Every cause suf-
fers by the tardy movements Of some ..
Doubters must not be condemned as apos-
tates. Time and favorable conditions will
awaken their faith and secure their tes-
timony if their doubts are honest. 4.
Faith built on seeing is of .....e worth.
However. there is no demand for blind
faith There is a difference between
skepticiSm and the spirit of examination.
;. God hath ever instructed his people
by faith. but men are continually labor
ing to the end that knowledge may have
the mastery. The word to all is Only
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