Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-23

Jesus Won admirers and supporters QUIZ
sd of the little hand that followed Hin.
This WAS one of the highest tributes 70
the Lords worth and - the excellence of
His ted lllng. Two such men We're per-
sons NJ honor Z distinction and wealth
Joseph Of Arindthea. a town of Judah,
probably not far from Jerusalem. was a
disciple. but for fear OF the Jews among
whom lie mingled ne made no open con-
iessi"n. NiceaenuS. a member of tire
sdnhedrin. who Went 10 Jesus by night 10
inquire concerning His doctrine Nds also
a. this number of friends There were
Others whose names are nc. mentioned.
John. ri, ~ But Joseph and Nicode-
mus came promptly forward 10 unite in
the last sad rites for the Great Teacher.
But for taem the body might have been
thrown carelesSly into the valley 10 he
eaten Ivy dogs. or deposited in the burial
grounds for criminals. But Joseph OBJ
tanned from Plate authority 10 remove
the body. and Nicodemus Joined him with
the things needed tor burial. 1t was
highly honorable act in these men at
such a time.
THE EMRALMING. Verses 3a-4o)
The body was esteemed by all oriental
lists. especially by Hebrews. As the
tabernacle and instrument of the soul II
was supposed TO have future after the
two We're separated Hence there was
an attempt To preserve II from putrefac-
ton IN the hope that II would again he
Inhabited This. was done by embalming.
an art carried TO the greatest perfection
by The Egyptians. who SO tar succeeded
in their work that bodies laid away by
them were in toerable degree of preser-
walton thousands of years after. Joseph
and Nicodemus determined that the body
of the man whom they admired should ne
thus prepared. They therefore wound Il
in linen cloths. the most enduring OF
textures then in use containing spices OF
various kinds-a mixture of myrrh ana
aloes. The quantity. about two. hundred
/ pounds, exhibited their liberality and es-
/ tet m The greater the amount empioSeo
tl,. greater was the honor attempted 10
be shown.
THE SEPTLCHRE. VERSES 4l-42)
/ 1t was an ancient custom for particular
/ families TO have burying places in their
! gardens that is in their private grounds.
! I'll Kings. xXi:1S. Joseph had property
/ nearby, and there he had hewn out a
| tomb in the rock Matt. xvii 800. prob
/ ably intending 1t for his own use. This
! tomb was near 10 the place or the cruci,
/ tixion SO near that il might be used
/ without much delay or publicity. 1t had
never been occupied II afforded there
| fore a convenient place for burial on TINS
! occa sion. and there Joseph and Nlco-
| demus after completing the embalmnE.
/ laid the body of Jesus II Is possible that
/ they intended il TO remain only short
! time that they designed when the San
bath should be passed to find another
resting place. TINS is ln'imateu IN me
! clause because of the Jews preparation
day" Having deposited the body Joseph
caused a great stone 10 be rolled TO the
door of the sepulcnre. and the two MarNa
sat down there in their grief Matt. XVII.
81. Thus was fulfilled another prophecy.
..He made His grave with the rich in HIS
death Isa.. liii9).
CONCLUSION mind may prof
itably gather up and retain the scenes or
this lesson. permitting them TO pass In
review IN order. I. The Lord Jesus on
the cross. calmly suffering at the hands
of His enemies. until the Divine purpose
was fully accomplished and then with
temporary thirst yielding up His life and
terminating the long and dreadful agony:
. The Jews of that time. who could thus
arraign and condemn the innocent. hold
ing with Scrupulous eXactness to the OBJ
servance of day. caring more for cere-
monal than for righteousness. g. The SOL
dierly brutality, obeying the mandate OF
the governor. and piercing the side of the
dead Jesus careful for nothing save their
own professional service: 1. The Scripture
fultillment showing how the ancient
prophets saw in the distant time the little
det ails of the Lords life and death and
the apostles recording the completion OF
these attestations that Jesus was the Mes
siah Let every thoughtful soul hold
these in contemplation until the heart Is
moved to suitable emotion and the life IL
made to pond.