Vers. 47-56.-77ie consequences of our Saviour's death. Our Lord died in the light. The disappearance of the darkness before his o.ecease was an outward symbol of•'the light and serenity which came across his spirit. His departure exercised a powerful influence upon all around tb.e cross. Let us notice the consequences of the <leath, as detailed by Luke. l. THE ROMAN CENTURION WAS CONVINCED OF CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS AND DIVINE SoNSHIP. (Ver. 47.) In Matthew the exclamation of the centurion ito given as," Truly this was the Son of God;" while here in Luke it is, "Certainly this was a righteous Man.'' The one conclusion had reference to the Roman trial. His death was so glorious ,md triumphant as to vindicate his character from every aspersion. He was no male- factor, but a benefactor of mankind. The other conclusion had reference to the Jewish trial, which was on the ground of his claim of Sonship. Now, his last cry was iu the light of Sonsbip, and "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit!" was so tenderly and yet firmly uttered as to convince the centurion that the Lord's claim was real. In the same way, should not our death as believers constitute some vindication of our character and claims? It should show that our righteousness and sonship were not pretences, but glorious realities. II. THE PEOPLE WERE CONVINCED OF THEIR BIN IN HA VINO CLAMOURED FOR HIS CRUCIFIXION. (Ver. 48.) The smiting on the breast was a sign of perplexity and peni- tence. They were evidently humiliated that they had so treated One who could so THE GOSrEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. [err. xxrn. 1-56.
nobly die. If the conviction of the centurion was an earnest of the conversion of the pagan world, this was an earnest of the conversion of the Jewish (er. Godet, in loc.). The meek and quiet spirit with which Christ died broke rlown their hard-heartedness more th,m any other course could have done; so that its effect was a manifest prepara- tion for the triumphs of the Pentecost. And should not a. Christian's death strike alarm into the heart of unbelievers, suggesting to them the possibility of their beina- unable to meet death with becoming courage? " III. Hrs ACQUAINTANCE AND THE WOMEN FROM GALILEE AnE PETRIFIED WITH ASTO:?s"ISHMENT. (Ver. 49.) "They stood," we a.re told, "afar off." They were so unmanned that they could not venture nigh. To them the death was inexplicable. It was apparently the defeat of all their hopes. It was a crushing blow. No mystery in providence had ever appeared to them exactly like this. They were ready to say, with Jacob, "All these things are against us," Is this not the position of God's people often? They have entertained bright hopes about the Me.ster and his cause, but have found them fading away like summer flowers, so that they stand perplexed and afar off before God's providences. Is it not the dark hour before the dawn? ls it not the travail-hour before the jubilance of birth? The disciples experienced this, and so may we. Before apparent defeat, let us always exclaim by faith," It is real victory." IV. JOSEPH OF AnllU.TlL!l:A IS LED BY CHRIST'S DEATH TO REAL DECISION, (Vers. 50-52.) Joseph, a good and just man, bad been for some time, we know not bow long, a "secret disciple" of Jesus. Nicodemus and he seemed to be in the same category, and perhaps they were led into faith about the same time. In the Sanhedrin they had done all that timid men could to prevent the crime of the Crucifixion; but popular feeling was always too strong for them. They bad not as yet taken the bold step of professing to belong to Ch1ist. But, strange to say, the death of Jesus, the apparent defeat of his cause, determined them both to be professors. Joseph accordingly goes and boldly begs the body from Pilate, that he may lay it in his own new tomb, while Nicodemus goes off to procure the needful spices. And here have we what seems. a law in God's kingdom. Successors always appear to carry on his work. Christ's death induces two at least to join his cause at once. As the apparently important pass away, it is only to be succeeded by others, and perhaps a larger number, to take up the fallen banner and prove their faithfulness. Apparent calamities are splendid tests of character-they call forth the brave I V. CHBIST's FUNERAL OOULD Oh"I.Y BE A TEMPORARY INTERMENT. (Vera. 53-56.) It was necessary that the body should be put a.way before the sabbath began. Now, if he died a little after three o'clock, there were less than three hours to complete the interment. There could not be the customary emba.lmment. All that was possible was to wrap the dear remains in linen with spices, and then, if nothing prevented, to complete the embalmment on the first day of the week. It was a hurried burial, there- fore, and by compulsion a temporary one. Yet "with the_ rich was his to':11b·~• .Jt was in a virgin sepulchre, so to speak, he lay for a season, Just as he bad l_a.m m. the Virgin's womb. It was so far private also that none appa1:ently but the 1IDI?ed1a.te friends and acquaintances followed the funeral All the circumstances combmed to make the funeral and interment most singular. It was well known where they la.id him• it was known that tbey intended completing the emba.Imment on the first da.y of the .;eek • his enemies had every opportunity, therefore, to prevent any imposture about a resurr~tion. All was above-board, like everything in our Lord's life. Consequently there was in the burial of Jesus a noble foundation la.id for that crowning hope of resurrection. We shall see that there was every ad van ta.go offered to those who wished to expose duplicity a.bout his rising again. It was the most important burial and most hopeless, 80 far as the mourners were concerned. They above all others seemed oblivious of all promise of reaurrection.-R. M. E. 011. xx1v. 1-53.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. 267