Evening star., 1919-04-19
SCHOOL LESSON
OUR RISEN LORD (Easter
Lesson).-Matthew, 2S1-10.
Golden Textile is risen. even
as He said.-Matt.. 28.6
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.


Christ's resurrection is the citadel
of Christianity. The death of the
Savior crushed the hopes of the Mes
sianic kingdom being established and
filed the disciples with darkness and
despair. The prospect of a political
revolution under the Prophet OF Naz.
areth was destroyed by the crucifix-
ion of Jesus. Darkness that filled the
disciples hearts. who, as Luke tells
US, started very early in the morn
ing" as it began to dawn upon Sun
day morning toward the tomb of their
Master to visit the grave in which
had been buried their hopes. The
doubt of the two on the way to EN-
maus and of Thomas establishes be-
yond question the fact that the dis
ciples had no expectation of the
Lords resurrection. that looking back
we recognize as the appropriate cul-
mination Of the personality of Jesus.
The corner stone Of the Christians
faith, the Gibraltar of their hopes and
the cardinal truth upon which the
church was established was the fact,
which has been more firmly estab-
lished than any other historical event.
that Jesus mastered death upon the
worlds first Easter morn, when He
arose a victor over the grave. He
had staked His mission, Messiahship
and message upon His resurrection.
With prophetic vision He had pointed
to His triumph over death as proof
of His deity. Easter emphasizes the
epitome of His gospel. the truth that
each Lords day proclaims to men the
triumphant resurrection of the
worlds Savior. The dominant note
of the apostles preaching was the
"He is risen. even as He said"
The good news which they pro-
elaine ed lifted the veil of the uncer
tainty and promised a future life to
all that believed in Christ Jesus as
their risen Savior. The secret of
their marvellous transformation from
a band Of cringing, craven towards
at the cross into a mighty host filled
with courage, confidence and con-
quering spirit was their faith in the
resurrection of Christ When the
miracle of the Lords resurrection has
been clearly established. then every
thing else claimed by Christians "fol-
lows as a matter of course; the in
carnation of Christ. His miraculous
power, His atoning death. His gospel
of hope" are all accounted for and
lieved.
The fact of Christ's resurrection is
attested by numerous witnesses. Paul.
with the logic of lawyer, has sum
med up in his masterful presentation
the evidence for the Lords resurrec-
ton in his famous chapter upon the
Masters triumph over death. The
evidence concerning the appearances
Of Jesus during the forty days that
followed His resurrection have estab-
lished the fact beyond question. The
women. who out of love for the May-
ter. hasten to the tomb to complete
the work of embalming His body.
had no idea that the Lord had risen
or that to them would be given the
first evidence of the many insallible
proofs of His conquest over death.
They had missed the meaning of His
messages concerning His coming
triumph over the grave. jesus had
tried to prepare all OF His followers
for the dark hour of affliction through
which He knew they would have to
S.ss b5 prophecy. precept and prom