The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 34

and little prepared for the consummat.e event. Again, of the exact methods of Chriet'e departure from his apostles and the women, and others to whom he graciously revealed his presence during the forty days, we are not distinctlr informed in each several case. But in some we are told simply that he "vanished' out of their sight. Let it be supposoo that this was the method of his going in each case, and we may guide ourselvc~ to the conclusion that at most the apostles imagined that some one of the occasions or their being blessed with the sight and the voice of him would inevitably prove the last. But what a vision this prepared for them I \Vhat a transcendent "gift" even of itsolfl His" speaking" suddenly but quietly ends. And while all eyes are calmly, attentively, lo,ingly turned upon the grace of his countenance," he was taken up." And eo their eyes also are lifted up, and thoughts nnd affections. "A cloud" which receives him "out of their siii:ht" arrests their vision, but not their thoughts and affections. 'l'hey still look" steadfastly toward be:iven," and seem lost in wonder and in meditation. WhaL i~ it they are seeing, or, so far as they retain the power to think, what is it they think the:, se~ ? Wh,i.t is it they are experiencing while they gaze? 1. This upward gaze "-as th~1r last earthly beholding of Jesus. One wonders not it was prolonged as much as possible. That last. long look, juclging from analogies of inferior matter, how was it wreathed all the way up with richest remembrances most vividly revived! Well indeed might it be so now, at all events. How fragrant crowd the flowers of memory, that nevertheless somewbile seem to mock our grief! They accord so ill, yet are so spontaneous; again seem to feed it, but fail not at length to help sanctify it, when our last earthly look has beeo taken of the companion we have so well loved and long time so cherished. But now, men's eyes were being robbed of the welcomed beholding of a Friend of matchless power, and matchless wisdom, and matchless loving-kindness I 'l'hat riveted gaze-who could have wondered had it drunk out for ever the light of earthly eyes ? 2. 'l'his upward gaze was one that found elements of most impressive contrast with much of the apostles' former knowledge of Christ. There is a great diITerence between the thoroughest persuasion as to the intrinsic quality of some one whom we trust and love, who nevertheless is left lifelong in the cold she.de of obscurity, and the cheerful light and satisfaction that make us proud sharers of the public success and the popularity and the manifestation of our idol. This latter portion Jesus had never sought. That he had never done so, nor shown the slightest disposition to do so, had been occasionally subject of remark and of petulance to some of even his faithful adherents. The disciples of Christ had, as the overwhelming rule, seen his humiliation ; and what of hie intrin~ic, most real glory they had been privileged to see, was nevertheless veiled with the garments of humiliation.. They had seen his modest subjection, his calm, obedient observance of what was due to custom and religious rite, as in his baptism. They had seen his great works, his wise words, his holy life, his undeniable innocence, all flouted times without number, and yet no remedy, no fire from heaven, no thunder- bolt, no conspicuous avenger, came to view. Then they bad seen the garden struggle, the trial, the Crncifixion. And though they had seen the Transfiguration and the Resurrection, yet up to this present time what became even of these? He seems to take no visible, practical benefit from them. But what their eyes now see opens indeed their eyes! One could imagine that volumes of mist, dark masses of cloud, roll away; the obscurities and conflicting perplexities of some years "vanish," and connt them- selves all for r.othing. The steps of Jesus are no longer on the level, no longer down to ~ubmission more submitting ; depression is no longer the rule. He rises ! Upward is the word I Glory and the realms of air and light are his, and bis mode of entrance upon these, in its very uniqueness, awakens fresh impulses of unfeigned ador::i.ti~n. It is an illustration of how those who wait-wait even unto the end-shall he" satisfied." 3. This upward gaze was a silent giving of themselves away at last. It made a. willing weanin" for them. Now have they done with" the things that arc seen," and with self; e.~d they have done with doubt and uncertainty; and they have done with the shadows that are felt, in favour of the momentous realities of which faith is henceforth t.he trusted and sufficient cUBtodian. So it was no unfruitful gaze. It was not a flash, to leave no permanent effect. It left much more behind it than a mere "glory on the soul." It was convincing evidence, irremovable conviction; it wu the kindling oJ genuine adoration, and a perennial spring of devotion. fil Jui 4J'PABEHTLY UNCHARITABLE CBALLENGE OF TBB .&T'l'ITUDB OF THB APOSTLES, OH, I. 1-26,] THE AC'rs OF 'fllE APOSTLES. 29