The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 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.
I. The Appearance In Jerusalem,
Thomas Relng Absent. Luke 24:3649.
() 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 lato
in the evening (see Luke 24:29, 33).
While they, and the others, we're re.
hearsing the many things that had ia.
ken place on that first eyentful 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 oc.
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
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 SC overwhelm-
ing that the unbeliever does violence
to his reason not to accept it,
(2) The Assembled Lord, w. 44-49.
This coming of Jesus and his message
of peace and assurance brought also
a 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 ". Az. 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" ". 45), the purpose of
his life and death. Jesus taught his
disciples what that purpose is ". Az,
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.
u. The Appearance to the Eleven
In Galilee, Matt. 28:16-2o. This event
took place much later than that men
toned in the first part of the previous
section. AS we carefully read this
section 1t suggests that Jesus was
somewhat removed from the dis.
ciples, yet their vision was 80 clear
that they worshiped him, though some
doubted. Drawing near to the dis.
ciples he first of all emphasizes his
supreme authority, AL 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, Ito 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 IA
tunatic. 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
handed. There is back OF the com
mission "all power" and accompany
Ing 1t blessed fellowship, 10, 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 ano
with us until the time Of the coLsum
nation of the age.