The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1914-12-11


graphs which constitute what might be
termed two commissions or two parts
of the Great Commission. There are
four distinct accounts of the final com
mands of our Lord to his disciples
each presenting a different phase OF
the work he committed to his follow
ers. In this lesson we have for our
consideration two of these aspects
which ought not to be confused.
/. The Appearance in Jerusalem,
Thomas Being Absent. Luke 24:36-49.
ID The Resurrected Lord, w. 36-43,
The Emmaus disciples reported to the
disciples, and those gathered with
them in Jerusalem, the things they
had experienced, especially in the
breaking of bread. This occurred late
While they, and the others, we're re-
hearsing the many things that had ia
ken place on that first eventful day,
Jesus himself suddenly appears in
their midst without the opening of a
door and asks them of their thoughts.
Once before he had thus searched
them duke 9:46, Az, but now the &C.
casion is quite different Fear Of the
Jews had crowded them into this room
but no closed door except that of the
human heart can keep out the risen
Lord. Simon's report (ch. 24:34) and
that of the Emmaus disciples were not
sufficient to allay their fear Fear at
this visible evidence of the supernat-
ural is true of us all, but when Jesus
truly is present there is peace no
matter what may be the turmoil with
out, or the fear within.
Man of Flesh and Bone.
This appearance was a demonstra-
ton that it was he himself, and to add
proof upon proof he first showed them
his pierced hands and feet, and then
called for fish and ate it before, and
doubtless with, them. Jesus is today
a man of flesh and bone as much as
when he walked Galilee's hills. His
blood he poured out upon Calvary.
The evidence of the literal, physical
resurrection of Christ is SO overwhelm-
ing that the unbeliever does violence
to his reason not to accept it.
(2) The Assembled Lord, w. 444s.
This coming of Jesus and his message
of peace and assurance brought also
commission that this great fact be
told to others. The event recorded in
these verses did not occur in Jeru-
salem but upon Mount Olivet and con-
stitutes the final appearance of Jesus.
As he had done often before, so now
he sets his seal upon the Old Tesla
ment, expressly speaking of its books
under their accepted three-fold divi-
sion ". 44). In these there are be-
tween three and four hundred direct,
not to speak of the indirect, prophe-
cies concerning him. What we need
is to have the Holy Spirit that we may
understand" (v. 45), the purpose of
his life and death. Jesus taught his
disciples what that purpose is ". 40,
viz, the remission of SINS" based on
the sure ground of his finished work.
This, and this alone, is the gospel and
1t is to be preached in his name unto
all nations--a missionary suggestion
but beginning at home, in Jerusalem.
Verse 49, tells US of that other needed
preparation to make us effective wit
nesses, the enduement of the Holy
Spirit.
Some Disciples Doubted.
II. The Appearance to the Eleven
In GaliIee, Matt. 20: 1920. This event
took place much later than that men
toned in the first part of the previous
section. AS we carefully read this
section it suggests that Jesus was
somewhat removed from the dis
ciples, yet their vision was so clear
that they worshiped him, though some
doubted. Drawing near to the dis
ciples~ he first of all emphasizes his |
supreme authority, "all power is given |
unto me-" and on that authority he |
commissioned them to their work of |
discipling "all nations" Marks rem |
dering of this commission (16:15, 16) |
is more inclusive, TO the whole crea- |
tion," including all of mans welfare,
social as well as spiritual. For Jesus
thus to claim authority and to send |
forth his ambassadors and still not be |
"the very God of the very God" is to
stamp him either as an impostor or a
lunatic. Because all power is his,
therefore the obligation and the &C
companying Holy Spirit who will en-
able us to teach the things he has COM
manded. There is back of the COM
mission "all power" and accompany
ing it blessed fellowship, 10, I am
with you all the days"
The sad thing is that after nearly
two thousand years we have carried
out so poorly the great commission.
And lastly the disciple is not to go
in his own strength or wisdom. His
parallels describe fully the age upon
which the disciples were entering AS
they went forward and as we follow
in their train to devote ourselves to
the enterprises of his kingdom, he de-
clared that he would be with them and
with us until the time of the coLsum-
nation of the age.
When we go his way, he goes our
way; but if We go our own we go 1t