March 1927
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pened to Peter that happens to you and to all who forget to keep looking to Jesus. Peter took his eye off from Jesus, and then he saw the big rough waves, and right away he began to sink. Even though Peter made a mistake by not keeping his eye on Jesus,, now when he is sinking he does the right thing—he calls upon Jesus to save him. Jesus puts out His hand and takes hold of Peter, and when Jesus and Peter enter the boat the storm ceases. Now something very sweet' and wonder ful happened, the same thing that should happen very often with all who love, the Lord Jesus. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped Jesus, and said, “Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” They knew that only God’s Son could do the great things He did. We know Jesus is God’s Son, and we too should worship Him, and thank Him for all He is doing for us. Peter trusted Jesus. Are you trusting Him? Do we too need Jesus every day? (Prayer) Many good authorities agree that the 14th Nisan of that year fell on Wed nesday. The “High Sabbath” (Jn. 19:31) would fall on Thursday. Jesus was cru cified the afterhoon before this Passover Sabbath (Mk. 15:42). From Wednesday evening to Saturday evening allows ex actly three days and three nights. The sign of Jonas was literally fulfilled. The plotters suddenly remembered that Jesus had foretold His resurrection (v. 63). It had made a deeper impression upon the Lord’s enemies than upon His own disciples. Their words showed that they really had understood His words about “destroying this temple," although they professed another interpretation (Jn. 2:19-21). The sepulchre was therefore “made sure” (v. 64). We should be glad that it was done. It furnishes a stronger foundation for all believers. There was no chance of fraud. Every possible pre caution was taken by the authorities (v. 65). “In the end of the Sabbaths (plural —there were two that week) as it be gan to dawn (28:1). It was a new day for the world. The blackness of night was in the disciples’ hearts. Their lives were waste and desolate until the glor ious truth of the resurrection dawned. The resurrected Lord manifested Him self on the first day of the week. On that day our present order of creation began with the calling forth of light. Now, by His resurrection, the Lord brought life and immortality to light (2 Tim. 1:10). Natural light and spiritual-light now have- a common birthday. From the resurrection forward, the first day has been “the Lord’s Day.” The charge that the Sabbath was changed by the Romish Pope is ridiculous. We now have abundant testimonies dating back to the apostles themselves that the early Church kept the first day, while unbe lieving Jews continued their forms on the seventh day. Bright and early the two Marys were there (v. 1). First in transgression, wo man is also first in witnessing of com
the men were greatly frightened, and even though they knew all about handling boats on the water, the storm was so severe they could not get to shore. Out of the darkness loomed the figure of a man, and they were more frightened than ever. Soon their fear was all gone, for the black fig ure moving toward them spoke, and the words were our memory verse. Listen! “It is I; be not afraid.” Who was this man who could walk upon the water and come to them ? Yes, it was Jesus. He had sent them out in the boat, and He could see them and the great struggle they were having with the storm, and He came to them. Peter, hearing the Saviour’s voice, wished to go to meet Jesus as He walked on the water, and Jesus told him to come. Peter was very happy indeed and started out bravely to walk on the water to Jesus, but some thing happened, and Peter was in great trouble and danger. The same thing hap-
pleted redemption. They came, it is true, “to see the sepulchre” They, too, had failed to grasp our Lord’s prediction. How shall we account for the stubborn view many take of death?, Behold, the strong heavenly and the ■weak earthly lovers of the Lord meet at the tomb. An angel was there- (v. 2). He rolls back the stone. What for? To let Jesus out? Nay, He had already gone. Did you hear the preacher say that Jesus “burst the bars of the tomb” ? He did not have to. An angel removed the bars to let two women see in. The angel “sat upon the stone.” What a picture of God’s easy and complete tri umph over Satan and his hosts! The police officers saw- the angel’s shin ing countenance, and they went into chills from fright. They became unconscious (vv. 3, 4). God laughs at all man’s vain efforts to prevent the. fulfilment of His Word. The very men who berate the Bible are themselves fulfilling it, “He is not heres-He is risen as He said (v. 6). That is the word of this heaven ly messenger. Was it simply our Lord’s spirit that was gone? Did His body re- main;|| What does the open tomb pro claim if not a risen body? “Come and see the PLACE where the Lord lay.” These are days of new definitions for old doctrines. We hear now of the “ob jective vision hypothesis.” They say there was some kind of an appearance of Jesus, but it was not in a body. The body, they say, is not essential. It was a spiritual resurrection (whatever that is). Anyway, it was His BODY that was gone from the tomb. His spirit was never in the tomb. His spirit needed no resur rection for it went immediately to Para dise the moment of death. If it was not a bodily appearance, there is no such thing as a resurrection. Did_ you get the angel’s word— “as He said”? A pure faith would have gone to the sepulchre carrying no spices for embalming. It would have gone in the assured certainty of meeting Him alive! “Go quickly and tell the disciples” (v. 7). Why did not the angel himself bear them the news ? A h! this is for the re deemed to do.. They are the best wit nesses of His salvation. Mark adds (16:7) “and Peter.” Peter had been under a black cloud. He got a special word from the One he so lately denied. That very forenoon he had a talk with Jesus. Before the Lord has tened to meet others to speak peace, He met Peter to speak pardon. They departed with fear and joy (v. 8). It seemed of little use for the angel to say, “Fear not.” Only Jesus Himself could silence fear (v 10). Yet it was fear combined with joy. When these two pos sess one at the same moment, they make his feet travel. “Behold, Jesus met them” (v. 9). He, too, sends them on a mission. “Go teli my brethren” (v. 10). The sight of the risen Christ is sure to give a man some thing to say to others. If Christ had re mained in some nameless tomb, the Gospel long ago would have lost its power and impetus. In Galilee He would meet His brethren (v. 10)—Galilee of the Gentiles. Why make the appointment there? Why give there the main evidences of the resurrec-
gfe Sá» gfc A pril 17, 1927 The Resurrection o f th e Lord Jesus L e s s o n T e x t —Matt. 28:1-10
ATTHEW’S account of the resur rection properly begins with v. 57 of chap. 27. Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple (Jn. 19:38), is seen taking the
body of Jesus for burial, after having s e c u r e d p e r m i s - sion from Pilate. Extraordinary cour age somehow pos sessed him at this time, that he should come out from under
cover and boldly go to Pilate on such an errand. Perhaps, like many another since, he was emboldened by the cross of Jesus to do what otherwise he never would have dreamed of attempting. The body was laid in Joseph’s new tomb (27:60), which was securely sealed. “There was Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sittmg over against the sep ulchre” (v. 61). Not a single record do we have of any unkindness to our Lord from women. There are many records of their loving ministrations. They edged their way to the very cross. They clung to Him when He and His cause seemed forever dead and buried. The next day, that followed the day of preparation, the chief priests and Phar isees came together unto Pilate (v 62). The Gospels seem to agree that Jesus was crucified on “the preparation,” 14th Nisan (Jn. 19:14; Lk. 23:54). The day after the preparation was Passover Sabbath, wherever it might fall in the week. Unless it can be proved that Passover Sabbath that year happened to coincide with the Jewish weekly Sabbath (Satur day), we have no right to say that Jesus- was crucified on “Good Friday.” Matt. 12:40 gives us our Lord’s own word that He would be in the realm of the dead “three days and three nights” 4-not two nights and one day, as would be the case if He were crucified Friday afternoon. (The Sabbath began at sun-, down Friday.) He arose at the beginning of the first day of the week (some time after sundown Saturday, appearing early on Sunday).
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