Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-12-11

AS O-A - AA0
ers. In this lesson we have for our
consideration two of these aspects
which ought not to be confused. We
will consider them in their chronolog
ical order.
l.. The Appearance in Jerusalem,
Thomas Being Absent. Luke 24:36-49.
% 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
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 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 (Luke 9:46, AID, but now the oc-
casicn 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 net
sufficient to allay their fear. Fear al
this visible evidence of the s~upernat-
urai 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
q man of flesh and bone as much as
when he walked Galilee's hills. His
blood he poured put 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.
~ 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 tv. 40. 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 / o have the Holy Spirit that we maj
understand" ". 451, the purpose O
his life and death. Jesus taught his
disciples what that purpose is ". Az
VIZ, the remission of sins" based OF
the sure ground of his finished work
This, and this alone. is the gospel ant
1t is to be preached in his name unit
all nations-a missionary suggestion
but beginning at home, in Jerusalem
Verse 40 tells us of that other needed
preparation to make us effective wit
nesses, the enduement of the Rol,
Spirit.
Some Disciples Doubted.
II. The Appearance to the EIevel
in GaIilee, Matt. 2s:f6-2o. This even
took place much later than that men
toned in the first part Of the previou
section. As we carefully read thi
section it suggests that Jesus wa
somewhat removed from the dis
ciples, yet their vision wac so clea
that they w~orshiped him, though som
doubted. Drawing near tc the dis
ciples he first of all emphasizes hi
supreme authority. call power is give
unto me-" and on that authority b
commissioned them to their work O
G~iscipling "all nations" Marks rer
dering of this commission (16:15, Is
is more inclusive, ito the whole crea
tion," including all of mans welfare
social as well as spiritual. For Jesu
thus to claim authority and to sen
forth his ambassadors and still not b
"the very God of the very God" is t
stamp him either as an impostor or
lunatic. Because all power is hi.
therefore the obligation and the az
companying Holy Spirit who will Ell
able US to teach the things he has con
manded. There is back of the con
mission "all power" and accompan,
ing it a blessed fellowship, 10, I al
with you all the days"
The chief value of these two Sc,
tons lies, first, in the fact suggeste
as to the perpetual of III
risen Lord in the midst of our ord
nary human experiences. Patientl
: he bears with us in our unbeIief an
: fear and like as he spake peace to HI
, disciples SO he would calm our res
= less spirits. The second chief valu
{ is the immediate and persistent r
s~ponsibility that rests upon his folloy
= ers. He loved all and desires that a
e shall be saved and yet the proclam
ton of his plan of redemption, of b
$ finished work, he confines to huma
8 agents. AS each new disciple is mad
he is to tell others. to witness of hi
9 to those not yet surrendered.
This Is a constant and an endIes
process, his heralds d~iscipling all n
tons, baptizing and teaching them
observe the things he has commando
n The sad thing is that after near
@. two thousand a we have carrie
g out so poorly the great commission.
And lastly the disciple is not to {
in his own strength or wisdom. H
parallels describe fully the age upe
which the disciples were entering. 4
they went forward and as we folio
!. in their train" to devote ourselves
the enterprises of his kingdom, he d
:. clared that he would be with them al
= with us until the time of the coLsuI
nation of the age. When we go b
. way, he goes III way; but if we /
our own way we go it alone"
. Our doubts are traitors, and mai
us lose the good we oft might wi