Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1910-12-15


large boulder. as many suppose, but
was shaped like wheel-like large
. grindstone. IL rolled in a groove, but
being helvy, would be cumbersome
and difficult for the women, as sug-
gested.
The sorrowing friends of Jesus did
not realize at the time what he had
taught them respecting his crucifixion
and subsequent resurrection. Hence
they were surprised with every Incl
dent OF their experience On that event
full Sunday morning. The angel APP
peared In dazzling brightness, that he
might not be mistaken for a man. He
told the women who brought spices
for the embalming Of the Lords body
that their Master was risen from the
dead-that he was no longer dead; that
they would see him in Galilee; and to
so tell his disciples. On the way Jesus
met them and revealed himself to
them.
Another account tells us that
Mary. separated from the others, met
Jesus alone and mistaking him for
| the gardener, asked whittier the corpse
| had been removed. Then Jesus re-
vealed himself to her Recognizing her
| Master she clasped him by the feet az
| though afraid that he would leave her;
but, different from his previous course,
| he declared, "Touch me not, for | have
not yet assembled to my Father and
your Father, to my God and to your
God" Instead OF delaying to COM
mune with me, hT ten at once TO tell
Peter and TIE OF $ Of roy resurrec-
hon How care. 7as the Master
that Peter shorlu ne mentioned by
name lest he should feel that he was
forever rejected because Of having de-
MED him!
For forty days Jesus was with his
disciples and during that time he APP
peared some seven or eight times, ac-
cording to all the different accounts.
Once he appeared as gardener. Once
he appeared as traveller TO two of
the disciples going to Emmaus. Again
he appeared OH the shore of the Sea
of Galilee to some Of the disciples who
were returning to the fishing business.
They knew it was Jesus, yet he was
different from formerly. But we read
that they did not dare ask him re-
speeding the matter. He appeared
again TO above five hundred believers
In the mountains of Galilee, and final
ly, by appointment, he met the eleven
at the top Of the Mount of Olives and
assembled out of their sight-a cloud
receiving him. Only on two occasions
are we informed that he appeared with
nailprints in his hands and the spear
wound in his side. And on these two
occasions we are distinctly told that he
appeared in their midst, the doors be-
ing shut, and that he vanished again
from their sight.
Thus~tlid Jesus demonstrate to his
disciples the fact that he was no longer
dead, but alive, and additionally, the
other fact equally important namely,
that he was no longer alive as a man,
but as a spirit being. AS st. Paul de-
clares, ''He was put to death in flesh,
but made alive in spirit" But every
precaution was taken TO permit their
natural powers Of observa ton to com
prehend the spiritual truths revealed
to them respecting Jesus resurrection
and ascension. 1t was ten days after
his ascension, on the fiftieth day from
his resurrec tion that the holy Spirit
came, and thus demonstrated at once
that the Redeemer lived and that he
had appeared in the presence of God
on the spirit plane and that his sacri-
fee had been presented and was ac-
ceptable to God; and. on the basis Of
his sacrifice and the imputation Of his
merit to the disciples, the sacrifices
which they had presented In his name
were accepted, and they were begotten
Of the holy Spirit, that they might also
become New Creatures and share in
his Kingdom and glory.
His Death and Resurrection NeedfuI
1t is needless that we seek to dispute
as TO which was the more important
event-the death of Jesus or his resur-
rection from the dead. Both were
equally important Had he not died
there would be no basis for reconcil-
iation Of Adam and his race condemn
ed to death. Had he not risen there
would have been no one to apply the
merit Of his sacrifice. Had he not
risen there would have been no call
Of the Church during this Gospel Age
to be the Bride Of Christ. Neither
would there have been use for the
promised Medlatoral Kingdom TO be
established at his Second Coming for
the blessing of Israel and the world.
Thus Jesus explained to the two
with whom he walked to Emmaus on
the day Of his resurrection, saying, o
| aloU af hart to baIiava al thot God