Ver. 17.-A mmageftill ofmM,ning. The risen Christ we.a the link between Deity snd mankind. Standing beyond the tomb, yet below the clouds, he sent a messllgo to the diBOiplos whom he Wll8 about to leave, concerning the Divine Father whom he wns about to join. How fitly, wisely, and tenderly did he communicate with them in thcso words I I. DoCT&INB OONCERNING CHRIST BnlSELF. 1. His 1w,manity. Ho still calls the apo~tles "my brethren.n Although he has risen in glory, and is about to BSCend in majesty, "he is not ashamed to caU thmn brethren." Having for men's sake pa.seed throngh sorrow and death, w far from forgetting what ho has endured, ho rega.rds his humiliation and sorro\'I' as a bond of attachment uniting him to those whose experience he has partaken. 2. His Sonsliip. He says, "My Father." Though he has been suffered to drink the cup of bitterness, though he has uttered the cry of desolation, though his body has lain in the earth, still hie relation to God is the same as before his Passion. ln all he has freely done what was pleasing to God. Still and ever is he the beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleased. He is mighty es man's Representative, The Mediator and the Brother of mankind is the Son of God. 3. His subordination. He says, "My God." On three occasions onr Lord mnde use of this appellation-on the cross, in this connection, e.nd in Rev. iii. 12 from the throne of glory. Similar language is often used of him by the apostles, who call the Eternal "the· God and Father of our Lord." It is not for us to understand all that our Saviour means when,.in .his humili- ation and obedience and subjection, he declared, "My Father is greater than I." Il. DOOTBINB ill>NOEB.NING CmusTUNs. 1. They are brethren of the risen Saviour. & he here expressly calls them, sending them at the same time a fraternal messaie, It is a gracious word of cheer and encouragement to those who have been enduring sus- pense, sorrow, and depression. 2. -They have with Christ a community of relation with God. What the infinite Father is t.o Christ, that--1moh is the unity between the Master and the.disciplee-that is he also to the lowliest and the feeblest of Christ's friends and followers. 3. In this community, however, there is a marked distinction. Jesus does not say, "Our Father and God," as if there were equality between Jesus and his disciples. In fact, God is Father of Christ according to the nature of the Godhead, of Christians according to grace and adoption; he is God of Christ so far as our· Lord's humanity is regarded, of Christians by the covenant relation he has instituted. 4. In this community there is a medie.torinl superiority on the one side, and a corresponding dependence on the other. It is through Christ Jesus that the character, the.disposition, the gracious purposes of the Father are made known to us, and it is especially through him that the Divine Fatherb.ood. hi declared; and it is through Christ Jesus .that the relations in question are actually establiBhed and a.re constantly maintained. .. A.l'PLIOATIOJ!I. This message, in the first instance acldreesed to the apostles, is left with the whole Church of the Redeemer, that ell Christ'a people may not only know where he be.s gone, but may realize the purpose of bis going e.s far as they are concerned, and may enjoy the assurance that bis Father is their Father, and his God their God.-T. Vers. 19--23.-7'ze firat ~ • an,g evening. The most wonderful and memorable day in the world's history was drawing to a close. The sun, whose rising beams had shone upon the empty tomb, the affrighted. guards, the anxiollS sorrowing women, had now set. I. 'l'HE NARRATIVE INTRODUCES us TO AN ANXIOUS OOllll'A!,'Y. Ten apostles and some of their intimate friends and fellow-believers were gathered together, drawn by a eommnnity of interest in their unseen Saviour. They had a common memory, e. common love, a oommon sorrow. They betook them to seclusion, both from fear lest the wrath of their enemies might 88Se.il them, and from lack of sympathy outside. They were disappointed and perplexed. Yet there was inquiry, excitement,, wonder, speculation, among them; fc,r the news brought by Simon, by the women, by the two from Emmaus, awakened eager interest and most conflicting emotions. en. xx. 1-31.] TllE GOSPEL ACCOilDING 'fO 81'. JUIIN. 4R7
II. TnE NAnnATIVE nET,ATES THE ENTIIANOE 011' A DIVINE VISITOR. Unexp ct~d. 0