Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-06

INTEOpCcTION-r silence of the
Gospels is most eloquent-it displays
Divine quality in the writings. Men are
disposed to follow along the trains OF
thought to discover the secrets of actions
in their relations This is done because IL
is the only way open to them. They are
10 reason from effect to cause.
Hence circumstances even OF "A TRIVIAL
character are arranged with great exact
ness But the infinite mind sees things
AS they are and knows without reasoning
why they are so. Hence in the narrative
before us we have only few incidents
a few disciples. Some women.
Mary in particular; Peter and John and
two others. names not given. appear and
disappear with great ahruptness. WHAT
men would naturally tell of the larger
company of the followers Of Jesus the sa-
cred penmen pass over in silence. Where
they went what they did. what were their
feelings and uttorances-on these points
nothing is said. We are left. therefore. to
conjecture. or. what is better. to silence.
ASSEMBLED tVerses 13-20p.-We
are now to consider the disciples in one
company. 1t was at the close of the day.
y.
dead They were probably in that same
room where they ate the paschal supper
together. where Jesus prayed and taught
John xiii:1S-2D. Thursday evening. just
three DAYS before. room which had
been hired for the purpose Matthew.
Xxvi:1S). This assembly shows that they
had not vet scattered abroad: that there
was some bond of fellowship among them.
Perhaps they had been sought out in their
lodgings and brought together by some
who desired that the reports made con-
corning the resurrection be considered. 1t
is highly probable that they would give
attention to that matter. The doors were
closed for fear that the Jews might dis
turh them Suddenly. without warning.
Jesus stood in their midst and saluted
them with Peace be unto you. Adj
vancing. He showed to all the prints of
the nails in His hands and of the spear
in His side and all were convinced and
made joyful
BESTOWED VERSES 2129.-As
soon as the disciples had recognized their
direction and presence among them. Jesus
proceeded to mpart unto them what from
the beginning He had designed them to
possess. His words We're preceded by an
other salutation of peace. Then came
their commission. in harmony with His
his prayer uttered in that same room
John. xvii:1s). by which they were to be
sent out as messengers of Jesus Oh Tim
othy. ii-2p as He had been messenger OF
the Father CHebrews. iii:2). a commission
which was afterward greatly expanded
Mark. xvi:15p. Afterward He made them
know the conditions of success in axecut-
ing that commission, saying. Receive We
the Holy Ghost" (Acts, i:6). the same con-
ditions appointed under the old dispense
ton (Zechariah. iv:6). Thus in a single
evening those men were called TO new
career. Previously they had been learn
ers. henceforth they shall be spirit
endowed advocates of Jesus Christ.
RENTED Verse 23).-It will be
remembered by all Bible students that on
one occasion Jesus gave authority to
Peter Matt, xvi:19) and seemingly dis
tinguished him from all others. What
ever may have been included in that gift.
it must be observed that here it is freely
offered to all. SO that the eleven are lift
ed into equality with the fisherman apos-
tie. The power here offered was I'M
doubtedly to be applied in governing the
church. AS men who had received the
Holy Ghost-that is. inspired men--they
should be qualified to found the church
upon such principles as would be pleas
ing to God, to make its laws and TO es-
tabliSh IT'S doctrine. That would be
prerogative to be exercised by them
only, not to be transmitted. They had it
because the Holy Ghost would guide
them into all truth John. Xvi:13). They
would teach as the oracles of God and
lay the enduring foundations of the
church. Jesus Christ being the Chief coy
ner stone tEph.. ii:oO).
DOUBTE VERSES 24-2JD.-One of
sthe disciples was absent when Jesus
made himself known and gave His bless
ing. commission and authority. Thomas
was the Aramaic and Didymus the Greek
form of the name. He is mentioned among
the apostles with Matthew Matt X:3D.
Three incidents only are recorded with
which he was connected-two besides this.
He determined to share the peril which
awaited Jesus in Judea John. xi:16).
entertaining hope of escape from
death During the last supper. when
Jesus spoke OF His departure. Thomas
declared that the disciples did not know
where the Lord proposed to go John.
XviJ0. These two brief utterances are in
harmony with what he says in this place.
On learning from the ten that Jesus had
appeared to them he refused to accept
their united testimony. as he should have
done. and asserted that he would believe
only upon the testimony of his own
senses. The personal pronouns are very
prominent in his little speech. by which
he acquired the title the doubling Thorn