Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1913-03-20
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNGSGN)OL
LESSON
fBy 2. O. SELLERS. Director Of Even
Ing Department The Moody Bible In
stitute of Chicago)
LESSON FOR MARCH %
THE EMPTY TOMB.


LESSON TExT-Mark 1s:i-11.
GOLDEN TExT-"Now hath Christ
been raised from the dead the frat fruits
OF them. that are asleep" 1 Cor I5-2o
Some teachers may prefer the study
OF the lesson of Israel and Rebekah,
Cen, "a, but because of It's relative
value and its relation to the day we
celebrate we prefer to consider the
Easter lesson.
There are five main points in the
evidence st. Mark presents to show
.sis that Jesus was the True Son of
NLnd, ID the testimony OF John the
zsptiser, 1928: (2) the baptism of
ssus, 1:9-11; (S) the TRANSPORTATION,
st2-S; "a the testimony of the CEN
turian at his crucifxion, 1879, and
f5) the testimony of the resurrection
OF Jesus. OF the ten different APP
pearances of our Lord. Mark records
fonr, ta) to Mary, 1859; (b) OH the
way to Emmaus, 1912, 10; (c) in the
upper room, 1914, and I'D the ascen-
sion, 1919.
Purchased Spices.
Of these appearances. From care
full reading Of this and the parallel
accounts 1t is evident that as soon as
the Sabbath day had closed and the
shops were opened these friends of
Jesus purchased spices that early the
next morning they might annoint his
dead body. Matthew 2S:1 r. v. would
indicate a possible earlier visit on
Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath
|. an the morning CT the first day
Of the week" w. 1-s. Starting while
1t was yet dark John 20:1) these
faithful friends hurried on their way
to the tomb. 1t was Mary Magdalene
who first reached the tomb. Matt.
ISL, John 20:1, she who had received
Much (Luke S:2) loved much. Nor
was it the Virgin Mary that had the
privilege of first beholding him ". 81.
IT was the love of these women ". u
that brought them to the tomb of him,
which should have redeemed Israel
duke 24:2D. That all the followers
We're shaken in faith the records clear
II suggest, yet love remained, hence
this desire to annoint his body. This
service though unnecessary Matt.
1921, 20:19) was. however, rewarded
by the revelation of the angelic mes
ssngers.
Serious Question Raised.
puTsuing their way very serious
vestion was raised ". 81. but God
8lH already removed the difficulty ".
sSa *, stoos If we will but be looking
- ". 4 r. W, God will give us all
necessary knowledge. GAS. 1:5), and
will enable us to overcome all difficult
ties. The empty tomb is the standing
rebuke for all skeptics. If he be not
risen let his enemies tell US where
sd what became of his body. The
true basis of Christianity Is in the
risen Christ, see ! Cor. 15:1-1S.
Had the friends pondered well the
words Of Christ they would not have
wasted their time and money seeking
to annoint dead body. That was the
reason why they did not know and
that is why we do not know many
things we ought to know about our
Lord It is noticeable that none Of
the men we're at the tomb.
Entering the tomb they found. not
his body, but young man, and later
two in dazzling apparel (Luke 23:4
stood beside them. When Mary re-
turned from the city. having told the
news, the two angels were sitting one
at The head and one at the feet OF
wheke the body had lain. John notes
thar the disciples found the napkin
which had bound his head lying fold
4 IN its original folds in a place by
9ra fs John 20:D.
= Ashe midst Of all their perplexity
AA 10 what had become OF the body of
MIN Nhom they loved they failed to
recall his words (Luke 9:22) and
hence could offer no solution OF the
difficulty But the God OF mercy sup
piled their need (Phil. 4:19) and
hence the glad triumphant message
of the angel. HE Is risen; he ia not
here; behold the place where they
(enemies and friends) laid him." v. s..
CT. AIatt. 1876. Then, as though to
make their knowledge Of service. to
others, he commands them to go and
tell the disciples and Peter" and that
tbsy are no more to look for him
there for Gle goeth before you into
Galilee." Y. z.
WI. 1And they went out quickly"
Gil. 1t is well to reverence holy
Aaces and to remember sacred assoc
ciAions, but God is spirit and can
- be localized. OF course the
women would like to dwell at that
place in meditation. but having had
revealed to them the fact. their duty
was to publish it abroad. A definite
knowledge imposes definite obliga-
ton Of testimony.
out Of death came forth life. The
seeming defeat of Jesus was the