Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-30
Sunday School Lesson for May 81 Discussed
by Rev. J. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.
JESUS RISEN FROM THE DEAD. John. * lis.

depth and agony Of love. which had led
the Magdalene To forget the restraints OF
a Jewish woman'S intercourse win
stranger. opened the lips and heart or
Jesus. Before He had questioned on the
score of her sorrow. Now He spoke her
name in the we'll remembered accents.
that had unbound her from demoniac
power and called her into new life tLuke
Ti.i:9- That name. so spoken again. was
another call to the inner nature of Mary.
and she was Immediately aroused. There
was no mistaking the voice this time. It
was a personal. direct. familiar and ten
der appeal. and she turned herself fully
toward the speaker and as her eyes rest
ed upon Him she exclaimed. 'Rahboni,'
that Is. Master. She had rejected tho
Greek tongue. that commonly used. and
had returned to the Hebrew, the language
of her people and Of the covenant. a very
common occurrence among those who
have taken up a foreign speech. but who
In hours of deep feeling revert again to
the expressions that are in the blood and
race. The two had recognized each other.
INSTRTCr1NG Verse 10.-Mary
would fam have graSped the form which
moment before she supposed cold
in death. Seeing Him again in life. she
was prompted to worship But her move
ments were gently but authoritatiyely re-
strained by Jesus. who informed her on
several important matters: / He had not
yet assembled to the Father: He had not
returned from heaven. there was yet L
completion before him unknown To Mary.
The present interval between tn" suffering
and the glorification did not admit Of per-
sonal homage. She must not therefore.
touch Him. .. He would ascend. He
would be here only little time and then
He would go home. so fulfilling the prom
Use made in His immortal address TO the
apostles in the upper room at Jerusalem
(John xvi:2S). 3 She must be the bearer
of the good tidngs to the brethren
Matthew. xxviii:lW. They must know of
His brief stay in order 10 the accomplish
ment of certain important purposes but
they must know il through her testi-
mony.
REPORTING Cverse 1S.-Away went
Mary Magdalene to the city on her err
rand. She was preceded by the other
women. who reported what the angels had
said unto them duke. XXiy:5-6l but came
with larger message than they declar-
ing not only the resurrection. bat the ap-
pearance and the instruction. \ faithful
witness was Mary that day. testifying
what she had seen and heard. Her words
would doubtless have been received under
ordinary circumstances concerning any Of
the common events of life. But this
story was Incredible. That a man put -
death on the cross should live again and
meet woman and speak to her was
wholly in the realm of the improbable.
Furthermore. three different stories were
af1oat. two besides Mary'S. Peter and
John had found an empty sepulcher. with
4
Joanna and the mother of James. with
! her women. had seen angels and heard
their utterances concerning the rising OF
Jesus from the dead. Why should one
woman he permitted 10 Jesus and
speak with Him-a privilege denied TO two
| apostles. and several women? But Mary'S
words though doubted. were not recalled
REFLECTIONS. The threefo,d
| conversation of Mary Indicative of
her changes from sorrow To joN-with the
angels with the Lord. with the disciples.
2. The mood of Mary changed as she was
instructed-at first she desired remain
and worship the risen Christ. but after
ward, she gladly departed TO serve Him.
B. Many a tender and humhled soul
mourns over the loss of the Savior while
yet He is near: the greater and more in
tense the distress the nearer is He. 1.
Eve. the first woman. brought transgres-
sion into the world. but Mary was. on the
other hand. the first preacher of a risen
Savior. :. Mary and Rabboni, just two
words constitute the heart of CONVERSE
ton. hut they were full of power. Let all
men so strive that some day Jesus may
call them by name John. X:3D. Z. Bless
ed are they that mourn for they shall be
comforted."