A Risen Savior’s Challenge The Practical Bearing of Christ’s Resurrection Upon Christian Experience, from “Miscellaneous Notes” Bj) CHARLES H. McINTOSH
HE period during which our blessed Lord lay in the tomb must needs have proved a dark and bewildering mo ment to many of those who looked for redemption in Israel. It would demand a
weighty question for those dear dis ciples—-a question eminently calculated to recall them, as we say, to their senses. It was precisely what they wanted at the moment, occupied as they were with circumstances instead of rest ing in the eternal and immutable tru th of God'. Scripture was clear and plain enough had they only hearkened to its voice. But instead of listening only to the distinct testimony of the eternal Spirit in the Word they had allowed their minds to get thoroughly down un der the action and influences of out ward circumstances. Instead of stand ing with, firm foot on the everlasting rock of divine revelation, they were struggling amid the billows of life’s stormy ocean. In a word, they had for a moment fallen under the power of death so far as their minds were con cerned, and no marvel if their hearts were sad and their communications gloomy. Spiritual Eyes Holdeh And, beloved reader, does it not some times happen th a t you and I in like manner get down under the power of things seen and temporal, instead of living by faith in the light of things un seen and eternal? Yes, even we who profess to know and believe in a risen Saviour—who believe that we are dead and risen with Him—who have the Holy Ghost dwelling in us, do not we at times sink and cower? And do wè not a t such moments stand in need of a risen Saviour’s challenge? Has not th a t precious, loving Saviour ofttimes occasion to put the question to our hearts,- “What manner of communica tions are these th a t ye have one to an-
calm, clear and vigorous faiths to raise the heart above the heavy clouds which gathered just then upon the horizon of God’s people, and it does not appear th a t many possessed such a faith a t that trying moment. We may doubtless look upon the two disciples who travelled together to Emmaus as illustrating the condition of many, if not all, the beloved saints ol God during the three days and three nights that our beloved Lord lay in the heart of the earth. They were thor oughly bewildered and at their wits’ end. “They talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden th a t they should not know Him.” Their minds were full of surround ing circumstances. All hope, seemed gone. Their fondly cherished expecta tions were blasted, apparently. The whole scene was overcast by the dark shadow of death, and their poor hearts were sad. But mark how the risen Saviour’s challenge falls upon their drooping spirits! “And He said unto them, What manner of communications are these th a t ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?” Surely this was a reasonable and
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