McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1913-03-21
LESSON FOR MARCH 23
THE EMPTY TOMB.

LESSON TExT-Mark ls:i-ll.
GOLDEN TExT-"Now hath Christ
been raised from the dead, the first fruits
of them that are asleep" I Cor. $50
Some teachers may prefer the study
of the lesson Of Israel and Rebekah.
Gen., "a, but because OF its 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
us that Jesus was the True Son of
God, ~ the testimony of John the
Baptiser, 1928: (2) the baptism of
Jesus, 1911: (3) the TRANSPORTATION,
9:2-S; (D the testimony Of the CEN
turian at his crucifixion. $3.50, and
(5) the testimony Of the resurrection
of Jesus. OF the ten different ap-
pearances of our Lord. Mark records
four. (a) to Mary. 1863: (b) on the
way to Emmaus. 1912, 10; (c) in the
upper room. 1914, and (d) the ascen
sion, 1919.
Purchased Spices.
Today we are to consider the FIRST
Of these appearances. From a 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 1881 r. v. would
indicate possible earlier visit on
Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath.
!. "In the morning Of the first day
Of the week." w. 1-8. 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.
1871, 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 ". %.
1t was the love of these women ". u
that brought them to the tomb OF him,
(which should have redeemed Israel"
luke 24:21). That all the followers
were shaken in faith the records clear
ly 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
sengers.
Serious Question Raised.
Pursuing their way a very serious
question was raised ". 81, but God
had already removed the difficulty ".
AZ, so, too, II we will but be looking
up" ". 4 X. W, God viii 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
and 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. 1t Is noticeable that none OF
the men were at the tomb.
Entering the tomb they found, not
his body, but young man. and later
two in dazzling apparel (Luke 2S:D
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
where the body had lain. John notes
that the disciples found the napkin
which had bound his heed lying fold.
ed in It's original folds in place by
itself John 20:7).
In the midst Of all their perplexity
as to what had become OF the body OF
him whom they loved they failed to
recall his words (Luke 9:22) and
hence could offer no solution Of the
difiiculty. But tho God Of mercy sup.
piled their need (Phil. 4:19) and
hence the glad triumphant message
of the angel. He IL risen; he Is not
here; behold the place where they
(enemies and friends) laid him."Fv. 8.
CT. Matt. 1855. Then, as though to
make their knowledge Of service to
others, he commands them to go and
tell the disciples "and Peter" and that
they are no more to look for him
there for ''He goeth before you into
Galilee." Y. z.
II. .And they went out quickly"
w. eli. 1t II well to reverence holy
places and to remember sacred asso
Citations. but God is q spirit and can.
mot 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 q definite obligs
ton Of testimony.
Out of death came forth life. The
seeming defeat of Jesus was the
prelude to the worlds greatest vic
tory-its most astounding miracle
Living unto self means claiming your
self for yourself. Living unto him
means that in your mind your spirit
your body, you show forth the risen.
victorious, triumphant life.
This Easter day is the day OF all
days to remember such words az
these:
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