Page images
PDF
EPUB

concerning him. Contrary to the law, they condemn him to death; and, contrary to custom, that death is crucifixion. It accomplishes the "determinate counsel of God" for the salvation of mankind. They allege that God, in whom he trusted, has deserted him: God attests, by supernatural signs, the interest which he is taking in the whole transaction. They set a watch over the sepulchre which contains his body; and so contribute to prove the fact of the resurrection, and seal the truth of his words.

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" May our hearts be led not to oppose that wisdom, but to be instructed by it: and to profit by the judgments, which others, by disobedience and unbelief, have drawn down upon themselves.

LECTURE CXIV.

THE RESURRECTION.

MATT. xxviii. 1-15.

1. In the end of the sabbath, as it beyan to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary' to see the sepulchre.

66

2

These faithful women came to see the sepulchre. But they had a farther purpose, as we learn from St. Mark. They had "brought sweet spices, that they might anoint the body." A day had been suffered to pass, because it was the Sabbath day. And now very early in the morning," they came to pay the last tokens of respect to one whom they had so greatly loved and reverenced. It seems never to have entered into their minds, that the body would not be found within the tomb. They were too much dismayed at the death of Jesus, to expect his resurrection. Instead of perceiving in that death the fulfilment of all that he had foretold, they considered it to be the destruction of their hopes. "For as yet they knew not the Scriptures, that he must rise from the dead." +

'The mother of James and John.-See ch. xxvii. 56. Salome was with them, as appears from St. Mark xvi. 1.

2 Ib.; also Luke xxiv. 1.

• John xx. 9.

3 Ch. xxvii. 56.

The prophecies which might have explained all, were still as "a light shining in a dark place." The Holy Spirit had not opened "the eyes of their understanding,” that they should perceive the meaning of the prophecies, and apply them to the mystery of redemption. And they could not bring themselves to believe, that one whom they had seen to "give up the ghost," and whose body they had deposited in the tomb, should rise again in "his own body." His power, indeed, they had witnessed; but not understanding why he died, they had no hope that as he did not employ his power to save himself from death, he would employ it to raise himself from the grave. On their way, therefore, the women said within themselves, "Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?" 5 But they were little prepared to expect what met their eyes as they approached the place where the body had been laid.

2. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.6

3. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

4. And for fear of him, the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5. And the angel answered and said unto the women,

5 Mark xvi. 3.

6

It appears from the narrative in St. John, that Mary Magdalene, when she found that the stone was rolled away, conceived that the body had been stolen, and hastened back to tell the disciples. The other two remained at the tomb, and saw what is here described.

Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: Lo, I have told you.

8. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 9. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet and worshipped him. 7

10. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren, that they go into Galilee, and there shall they

see me.

8

He had before said, " After that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee." They had been first taken from the neighbourhood of Galilee, and it seemed good that there they should remain till the time of the ascension drew near, after which they were instructed to abide at Jerusalem, and await" the promise of the Father," the descent of the Holy Ghost. So going into Galilee, they did see him there, according to his words: they saw him under circumstances which must have reminded them of the time when they were first called to leave their nets and join his company, and Jesus promised that they should" become fishers of men." For coming towards them when after much toil they had taken nothing, so great a draught of fishes followed his command to cast their net again, that they at once

He had already shown himself to Mary Magdalene, who had returned to the sepulchre after the other women had gone to carry the glad tidings to the disciples. John xx. 11—15.

8

Mark xiv. 28.

9

Luke xxiv. 49.

ן

"It is the Lord." It was on that ocexclaimed," It is the Lord." " casion that he foretold to Peter "what death he should die" and intimated to John, that before he died, he should witness the fulfilment of his prophecy concerning Jerusalem, and see his first coming with power."

66

[ocr errors]

2

This was the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead:" and fulfilled the words which before had so much surprised them, "A little while, and ye shall not see me; and again, a little while, and ye shall see me." And further," Ye shall weep and lament, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy." For a little while he had been taken from them, and they had been lamenting what they believed to be his loss whilst "the world," the chief priests and rulers rejoiced, supposing that they had gained their end. But now were the disciples gladdened at the sight of their Lord, who had broken the bands of death by which it was not possible that the Prince of life" should be holden.3 His soul was not left in hell, neither did the "Holy One" see corruption.

4

Meanwhile, as it had proved needful for the enemics of Christ to account for his other miracles, so it was also needful for them to explain away the miracle of his resurrection. This they found easy

means of doing.

11. Now when they were going, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

1 John xxiv. 3-22.

3 Acts ii. 24.

2 Ib. xvi. 16-20.

+ Ps. xvi. 10.

« PreviousContinue »