The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1953-03-17
Easter MESSAGE
BY the Rev. b. r. Bruner


Pastor Farmville Baptist Church
One of the several versions of
the legendary visit of Scion. the
noted Greek teacher and philo-
sopher, TO Croesus. the fabulously
wealthy king. is that with a great
deal of arrogant hoastfulnesS.
CrOesuS showed the teacher about
his palace pointing out all Of the
evidences OF his tremendous
wealth
After he had recounted to the
teacher all of the conQuestS he
had made he said to Scion, Sure
~ you can see now that I'm the
happiest man in the world"
Solon's response was, Il shall
have to know your latter end be-
fore l can say that you are the
happest man III the world"
Years later Cyrus had overrun
the land ruled by Croesus, taking
King Croseus for his prisoner.
CroeSuS was condemned to die and
Oh his way to be executed he saw
Scion. When their eyes met. Croe-
suS greeted Scion with the words.
Thou vast right. O Solon."
Even though this story may be
apocryphal it is certainly illus
tractlve of the truth surrounding
the death, burial, and resurrection
Of Jesus of Nazareth. Undoubted-
~, when Joseph OF Arimathea
and NicodemuS had carried the
body of Jesus to JoSeph's tomb
where 1t was buried and the men,
bers Of the Sanhedrim had secur-
ed a Roman guard by the tomb
and Roman seal upon the tomb,
CalphaS and Annas and the other
members Of the Sal.hedrim must
have CONGRATULATED themselves on
lob vel ldone in Kidding their
nation of the troublesome Prophet
OF Nazareth. They failed. however.
TO take into account the events
which would take place in the fu-
ture centuries. In fact. they even
failed TO take into account the
event that would take place in q
few days which would change
their seeming victory to defeat
Jesus did not stay IN the tomb.
Neither did anyon take his body
from the tomb. He conquered
death and arose from. the dead,
showing himself TO approximate
~ half thousand people dur
ing about SIX weeks after his
burial.
Now in our century the name
OF Jesus IS more revercd and hon
Orcd than the name of anyone
Who ever lived He is more deyot-
cdlv loved than any other per-
SON Even those who deny his
dlCty recognize that his influence
on history SulpaSses that of any
other one person. The end is not
yet for every year thousands of
people acknowledge Him to be the
Master Of their lives There are
illNa y VA 10 tpNfi| any ~ iiloi Z
LANDS than there have ever been
What about the end of those
who brought about his crucihXlon?
Fontus Plate is universally con-
dcmned as a Wcakling typical of
the person who regards eXpedi-
ency as the sole rule Of life An
mas and CaiplaS are Judged by all
who know their names as being
spiritual rcneeadeS and hypo-
critics. The others who played a
large part in this historical event
are largely forgotten,
AS VIC approach the Easter Sea-
son, it is to honor the lowly Naz-
arcnc who has become recognized
as the Son of God Comfort for
the SorroWing. hope for the queS-
tloning, gWdancer 70 the perpleX-
ed, and assurance for all. result
from His ministry. When VIC &C
copt Him as our personal Saviour,
VIC make the great Easter text live
III our own lives Now is Christ
risen from the dead and become
the first fruits OF them that slept