The Green Forest tribune., 1914-12-04

Ing among the dead? He is not here, but ts risen.-Luke 24:5, 6.
 The death of Christ made a pro- found impression, Luke 23:4S, 49. Jo- seph, who had been a secret disciple, obtained the body and gave it burial, Mark 15: 42-47. In the lesson selected for today we have, first, Marks record of the discovery of the resurrection by the women, and, second, Matthews record of how his enemies dealt with that fact.
 |. The Resurrection Morn, Mark 16:1-e. The Sabbath ended at sum- down and the shops were then opened. Mary Magdalene then purchased spices that they might anoint the dead body of Jesus. They may have paid the tomb visit late on Saturday, see Matt. 2S:1 R. V. Starting the next morn, while it was yet dark" John 20:1, they came to the tomb to per form their last service of gratitude and love. He had no need of this serv- ice, Matt. 16:21; 20:19; however, it was acceptable and they were reward ed by receiving the first glimpse of the risen Lord.
 Women's Love Genuine.
 see risen Jesus was in their failure to listen to and to ponder on his words. The men also failed to com prehend the note of his resurrection which he so frequently sounded In. deed, the report of these same women is by these men considered "as idle tales," Luke 24:11. The women ap- pear in a better light than the men in this story. The women, especially Mary Magdalene, loved much because he had done so much for them. The extent and the genuineness of their affection is found in that they went to the tomb to serve Jesus when appar. ently hope had lied and faith was blighted, I Cor 13:8 R. V. Their visit was the fulfllment of their ministry of love, yet it reveals the darkness of their minds. This was common to all of his followers
 Approaching the tomb they are con- fronted by new difficulty-"Who shall roll away the stone?" The words of verse four are significant--"Loo ing up, they see that the stone is rolled back" Am. R. V. This undoubtedly refers to the situation of the tomb and their approach thereto, yet the fact remains that looking up" most of our difficulties are removed, Let us be constantly looking unto him." It has been suggested that God rolled away the stone, not that Jesus might get out, but rather that the women might get in. Mary found two angels sitting, one at the head and one at the foot, where the body had lain, John 20:11. 12, and the two disciples to whom she reported found the linen cloth and the napkin and believed" John 20:2-9. The women were overwhelmed with perplexity and, like Peter and John, "knew not the Scripture that he must rise again from the dead" The an- gelic message, He is risen; he is not here," was the sounding forth of message as great and as glorious as that sounded by the angels on the night of his birth
 Such experience and such knowledge entails definite burden of responsi- bility, therefore the logical message and command of verse seven. This is also in accord with the Savior's last earthly message, Mark 1915; Matt. 28:18-20. It is natural for us to lin- ger in silent meditation at the place of our greatest revelation or of our deepest soul experiences, but these women are urged to Ego quickly" The message of salvation is too im- portant to brook any delay
 Spread False Tale.
 H.. The Watch at the sepuIcher. Matt. 7:62-66 and 2s:11-15. Evident ly the manner of his death and his re- ported prophecies as to the resurrec- tion made an impression upon the enc. mics of Jesus. This guard is an ex- pression of the ultimate antagonism of the priests and rulers. AS this, the morn of the first day of the week, ap- preached the guard saw the vision of the angel and in its presence became
 
 covered they hastened into the city and reported to the priests the, fact of the coming of the angel and that the stone, upon which the seal rested had been removed Bribed, they spread abroad the tale that the disciples had stolen his body. The falseness of such a tale is evidenced by the fact that the rankest infidel has not the temerity to make such claim today.
 The resurrection, as Paul affirms, is the declaration that Jesus is the Son of God. It is a vindication of his supremacy and of the supremacy of the spiritual over the natural. We do well to emphasize his birth, and to dwell much upon his death, yet both of these have no essential value apart from the resurrection. Apart from this and the cross is no more than the tragic and awe-inspiring end of life that failed. Connecting the cross with thic damaudo that ouary thouohf