The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-03-24
.. The Empty Tomb wv. 1-1O).

1C-The Fact and Meaning Of the Res
direction.
!. The Empty Tomb wv. 1-10).
John does not enter into descrip-
ton of the resurrection of Christ or
give any proof other than that the
tomb was empty, and that Jesus had
repeatedly manifested himself after
the tomb was found empty. To see the
body Of Christ with a spear-thrust and
nail prints and the empty tomb was
all that faith needed.
1. The testimony Of Mary Magda-
lene (vv. 1, p. This woman, out Of
whom Jesus had cast seven demons
mark 16: %; Luke S:2), announced the
fact Of the empty tomb to Peter and
John. Prompted by great love to him
for his kindness to her, she went early
to the tomb even when it was yet
dark"
2. Personal investigation by Peter
and John wv. 3-10). The news Of the
empty tomb which Mary brought with
breathless haste so moved John and
Peter that they both ran to investigate.
When John came to the empty tomb,
he gazed into it, but when Peter came
he entered 1t. This investigation con-
WINGED them of the reality of the resur-
rection. The removal of the stone
from the sepulchre, the arrangement of
the grave clothes. convinced them that
the enemy could not have done this.
u. The Manifestations of the Risen
Lord wv. 1920.
/. To Mary Magdalene wv. 11-1S).
a. Mary weeping at the empty tomb
". III. Peter and John went home,
but Mary could not. She stood weep
ing. Home was nothing to her while
her Lord was missing. Earnest love
need rot to weep long for Jesus Is
found of those who love him. She
should have been rejoicing that the
grave was empty, for the empty tomb
was eloquent proof Of his messiahship
and deity.
b. Mary questioned by the angels
wv. u, 13). Through her tears, she
saw angels at the tomb, who inquired
as to the cause Of her sorrow.
c. Jesus revealed himself to Mary
wv. 14-16). She first saw the angels
and then her eyes lighted upon the
Lord. She did not recognize him in
his resurrection body, but his voice
was familiar to her. AS soon as he
called her by name, she recognized him
and fell at his feet weeping.
d. Jesus forbade her to touch him
". 10. This showed that she was
coming into a new relationship to him.
e. Mary's testimony ". 49,. She
told the disciples that she had seen
the Lord.
2. To the disciples wv. 1920. He
appeared to several of his disciples at
different times during the day. This
is the first appearance to the disciples
as a body. The rumors of his sew
eral appearances on that day caused
the disciples to assemble to talk over
the matter. For fear of the Jews, they
met in a private room and barred the
door. While they were discussing the
strange happenings Of the day. the
Lord mysteriously appeared to them.
a. When Thomas was absent wv.
1929.
"a His message Of peace ". 19).
This revealed his attitude toward
them. He did not come with censure
for their failure and desertion.
10y He showed his hands and his
side ". 20). Having Gained their
fears, he gave them unmistakable evil
dence of his resurrection.
(3) He commissioned them ". 21).
Gas my Father hath sent me even so
send 1 YOU" This commission was not
simply to a class, as the eleven, but
to all Christians duke 24-33).
(4) He bestowed the Holy Spirit up
on them ". 22). This was their equip
ment. Only as empowered by the Holy
Ghost can one go forward as a sue
icessful witness for Christ.
(5) The disciples authority ". 23).
This authority was not by virtue Of
office. but by virtue Of having the Holy
Ghost. This spiritual gift gave spiritu-
al discernment to know who had or
who had not repented and consequent
" to pronounce pardon or withhold 1t.
b. When Thomas was present wv.
24-29).
(1) The victory of sight and touch
wv. 24-2S). The Lord graciously sup
plied the evidence which Thomas need
ed, The Lord does not rebuke those
who sincerely seek light.
(2) Greater blessing for those who
believe, not having seen ". 29).