The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-31
Sunday Sermon
RESURRECTION
PROOF HELPED
BY VARIATIONS
VarianCeS in Reports NuIIify
Possibility of COL
fusion.
Taxk. Tohn 0n.1Tc
Text: John 20:1-16.
BY VIM. f. GILROY, ID. ID.
Editor of The CongreEationaliSt

The story of the resurrection Of
Jesus is told by different writer's and
in different ways Some have seen
in these different narratives con-
flicting evidence. and they have
made the differences a basis Of
doubt.
Is it not much more reasonable
to say that it is these very differ
enceS that destroy all idea of coll
fusion, all notion that the disciples
were making up "cunningly devised
fables" and were agreed about tell
ing the same thing?
What we have in these resurrec-
ton stories is the simple narratives
as they came out of the experiences
OF the disciples and as they de-
ve'oped in the early church.
The resurrection of Jesus would
not be a miracle, if we could ex-
plain it, and if we knew all about it.
Knew Christ Lived
The one great clear fact that does
stand out is that, at the very hour
OF the disciples deepest gloom. when
with great reluctance they were
turning back to their homes and to
their old lives, the disappointed fol-
lowers of a sublime hope that thew
were reluctant to give up. there came
to them the clear assurance that
Jesus was not dead
With that conviction. there was
the revival of their faith that quick
ened them into newness of living
and sent them forth with a new
power to establish the Christian
church and to build upon the great
foundation of Christ himself the
power and influences of Christian
ity.
Reality Apparent.
Who that reads these narratives,
and that considers all that these
experiences had to do with the
founding Of the Christian religion,
can doubt the reality of the exper-
fence?
1t is not ours to explain. but we
are brought face to face with these
mystic, spiritual experiences in
which the disciples had a clear
vision of their risen Lord.
The most beautiful of all the
narratives is that concerning Mary
coming early in the
while it was yet dark, to
the sepulchre where Jesus was
buried, and finding the stone rolled
away.
Mary had come, apparently,
rather in love and in loyalty than
with any clear faith that she would
find things changed.
When she found the stone rolled
away from the sepulchre, instead Of :.
waiting, she came running to Simon
Peter and to the "other disciples
whom Jesus loved" probably John
himself, making known to them
her amazing discovery.
Tomb Scene Recalled
Peter and John Immediately ran
to the sepulchre, but even jealous
Peter was outdistanced by the low
ing John, who arrived first. John
looked in, but did not enter the
tomb. Impulsive Peter went all the
way, and discovered that the body
If Jesus was gone.
The disciples went to their homes.
We wonder with what thought in
their hearts. But Mary, still mySti-
fed, still with her love and loyalty,
rather than with any clear hope.
stood outside the sepulchre weep
ing,
It was then that she had the
vision of the two angels and, turn
ng from the tomb, saw Jesus stand
ng there, though she knew not that
t was Jesus.
1t was then that Jesus spoke her
name, and at the sound of his voice
she understood, and she said, MAS a.,
,er."
What more can any of us say
than that? -