Evening star., 1924-04-19

There is only one lesson that ap-
pears fitting for Easter. Most of the
thought and teaching tomorrow will
be upon the great theme OF Christ's
resurrection, which Easter empha-
sizes, although some will be moved
to follow the historical series and
consider Elisha's character and ca
reer. History of nations and indi-
viduals has always been changed
whenever the fundamental doctrine
of the living Christ has been pro-
claimed. There is no explanation of
Christianity, the existence of the
church, the New Testament and the
observan> OF the first day of the
week except the historical fact of the
resurrection Of Jesus.
Three days after the crucifixfon of
the Master several Of the faithful
women who had left the newly made
tomb with heavy hearts came early
on the first day of the week to en-
balm the body of their Lord These
souls had shared with the other dis
cipleS the darkness, disbursement
and disappointment of the cross dur
ing the intervening time. Their am
bitions were buried I'm the grave with
the Christ. Filled with sorrow over
the career of Jesus. they arose before
it was dawn. Love for the Master
called them in the gray of the early
morn through the silent streets of
IDENTIFY without the slightest anticipa-
tion of Christ's triumph over death
and the grave.
In all their preparation they evi-
they could get into the tomb to an
noint the body of the Master. Mark
points out their surprise when they
looked up" and noticed the stone
rolled away. the angel in his shining
glory sitting upon IL and the soldiers
lying about as dead men. They had
failed to grasp the meaning of the
teachings of Christ concerning His
resurrection, so they did not expect
such an event. No wonder they were
filled with fear at the appearance of
tha angel. who quieted them by his
poise and words. The attitude of the
shining stranger indicated no cause
for alarm. His position indicated
restfulness and his dress revealed
purity. He caImed them by his refer
ence TO the humanity, lowly residence
and ignominious death and thrilled
them with his declaration of His res
direction and the demonstration Of
the empty tomb confirming the an
gels statement.
The other disciples needed to be
comforted There was no time to be
lost or wasted in asking questions
concerning the most stupendous
event in all history. The others must
not be allowed to sink any deeper in
despair. They must be checked in
their downward career of doubt and
unbelief. so the women were appoint
ed messengers of the resurrection.
They were sent to the disciples and
Peter. who had denied the Lord at
than the apostle. whose heart had
been broken by the Masters look. He
needed the special message to en-
courage him. He naturally under the
circumstances looked for rebuke,
but this word would serve to encour-
age him. Paul mentions a special
meeting that Peter had with the risen
Christ, and John records how he was
recalled and reappointed to service
when he went fishing when he should
appointed meeting place.
Mary Magdalene was plunged into
bewilderment and doubt. like the
others who had fed from the tomb.
doubted the heavenly messenger. for
she inquired OF one, whom she
thought was the gardener, requesting
where they had laid Him, as John
tells US. Christ drew near Mary, who
amazement and doubt by the angeTs
words concerning His resurrection.
She probably had tarried near the
tomb, like many broken-hearted souls
today seek the burial place of their
loved ones. Jesus revealed Himself
to her and sent her flying after the
other women with the news Of His
victory. In their fear the women
would not have carried the message
of hope to the disciples, who mourned
and wept They could not accept its
truth. John tells US how Peter and
he decided to investigate the reports.
Two disciples walking to Emmaus
were the next to report their meeting
with Him to the disciples, who were
startled by His appearance among
them in the upper room, where He
condemned them for their unwilling
ness to accept the testimony of those
who had seen Him alive.
Our message of good news concern
historical evidence of Christ's resur-
reetion. The sanctity of the first day
OF the week as one Of religious wor-
ship can be traced to nothing else
than the triumph of Jesus over the
grave. The establishment of the
church and the existence of Christ's
followers today Is due to the fact that
anticipated His resurrection, were
convinced by indisputable evidences
that transformed their lives and gave
zeal to their efforts to preach the
gospel of the Lords resurrection, The
source of the New Testament was due
to the establishment of bodies of be-
levers who were converted from their
Jesus lives and can't be taken from
His followers. Its pages are filled
with the breath Of the resurrection
life.
Paul In the earliest gospel of the
Masters victory over death sums up