Vers, 1—14.—Resurrection proofs. The last days of the manifestation of God in Christ were signalized by a great deprivation and a great recovery. A life beyond the dread confines of the grave completed the cycle of wonders associated with the earth- life of Jesus. This, although not sufficiently realized ere it actually occurred, is a part of a continuative development. It is no awkward and hasty fragment joined on to another and more legitimate narrative. ‘To intelligent students of the life, it appears the sublimely consistent outcome of all that preceded the death. The evangelists, from the very beginning of their histories, prepare one almost unconsciously for such a dénouement. It is in a sense the necessary conclusion towards which they move, and it throws into new relations and proportions all the preceding events. The earthly actions and experiences of Christ are sufficiently verified, but im describing them the evangelists do not seem to think of having to furnish proof. It is only when they begin to tell us of the resurrection that all is alertness, and that conscious collation of evidence takes piace. This is the arcanum of the faith which must be preserved from all uncertainty ; this fact must be certified that all else may be made intelligible and morally efiectual. And the moral significance of the Resurrection is even more insisted on than its physical wonder, It is the defeat of evil machinations, and a triumph over every precaution of his enemies.
I, Some IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION. The number and variety of (hrist’s appearances have been noted by the evangelists. The spiritual nature perceives the supplementary effect and educative efficiency of his resurrection fellowship. There is also a marked absence of all appearance of collusion. 1. Con- spirators would have striven to keep the grave sealed until its emptiness should be discovered. 2. The Roman watch was all but inviolable. 3. Those who might be expected to conspire remained at a distance, and were informed of the event, 4. Many of them at first refused to believe the news. 5. From the Emmaus and embalm- ing incidents, we see that most of the disciples did not look for his (at all events immediate) reappearance,
Il, THE NATURE OF THE ResvuRRECTION. The question of those who deny the physical, yet emphasize the ideal and spiritual resurrection—* What can a few pounds more or less of dust and ashes matter?”—is shallow and impertinent. 1. The senses were apyealed to: sight, hearing, touch; physical results were produced ; fellowship was realized with him under physical conditions (the fish and honeycomb). 2. He was not recognized at first, A great change had, therefore, been produced. And such a thing might be looked for. Mary, Emmaus, Thomas and the stigmata. 3. The
ou. xvi. 1—20.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. 857
manner of disappearance as described ts suggestive of @ real body (Acts 1.9; Luke xxiv. 50, 51).
IU. THe BEARINGS OF THIS FACT UPON CHRISTIAN FAITH AND LIFE. In consider- ing these we see how the foregoing question betrays an incapacity for discussing the highest practical problems. 1. Christ came to save the entire nature—body, soul, and spirit. He is, therefore, himself the Firstfruits and the Type. There is, in his resurrec- tion state, a hint as to the possibilities of our material nature when completely purified and redeemed. 2. The bodily resurrection of Christ is a more signal marvel than the spiritual alone would have been, and was at the same time more susceptible of sensible demonstration. 3. It was in harmony with the method of his miracles, and the yrand key to them. How the moral element in this life grew and expanded into ever more powerful effects and general relations! At last, when earnestly and carefully regarded, doubt is overwhelmed by it. How it appeals to our sense of the highest fitness, and answers the unconscious longings of the spiritual life !|—M.
Vers. 3, 4.—“ Who shall roll us away the stone?” Two things occurred together in attempting the last service to the buried Christ—weak, though willing and loving instruments, and a practically insurmountable difficulty. They themselves were unable to roll away the stone which closed the sepulchre, “ for it was exceeding great.” This experience has often been repeated.
I. How FoREBODINGS OF DIFFICULTY IN CHRISTIAN SERVICE OFTEN ARISE. 1. By discounting the help of Christ. They thought him dead and helpless. 2. By calcu- lating only one’s own resources. Looking inward. The -healthy outward and upward look at the indications of Providence and experience.
II. How THE Goop INTENTION OF LOVING HEARTS I8 REWARDED BY THE SAVIOUR, 1. By finding the difficulty which had been anticipated already removed. 2. By find- ing the intended service rendered unnecessary. ‘lhe empty grave at first a disappoint- ment, but afterwards a source of joy.—M.
Ver. 6.—“ He ts not here.” I. THE PLACE WHERE CHRIST HAS BEEN I8 NOT ALWAYS THE PLACE WHERE CHRIST IS.
IL Iv 18 A LIVING AND NOT A DEAD. CHRIST THAT CHRISTIANS ARE TO SEEK.
Ill. THEY THAT TRULY SEEK CHRIST WILL, EVEN THROUGH DISAPPOINTMENT, LEARN WHERE TO FIND HIM.
IV. THE DUTIES OF SORROWING LOVE ARE DISPLACED BY THE DUTIES OF RBEJOIC- ING FAITH.—M.
Vers. 19, 20.—The gospel the Word of the ascended Lord. These words, at the end of Mark’s account, give the great sequence of our Lord’s manifestation. The Ascension was the divinely necessary result of the Resurrection ; the gospel is the necessary fruit on the human side of the experience produced in the hearts of the disciples by his life and work. Such a series of events could not end in silence. As in life, so in death, resurrection, and exaltation, Jesus Christ “could not be hid.” The preaching of the gospel is a result, therefore, of an express command and an inward impulse. The two verses are in sequence to the preceding account, and the one to the other, logically, tpiritually, and potentially. Notice in this connection—
I, THE POINT AT WHICH THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL BEGINS. At the final withdrawal and exaltation of Jesus. 1. Its subject 1s a completed one. 2. The various portions of it are self-evidently connected, und mutually interpret one another. The final transcendent issues of the contest of Christ with sin and death are each repre- sentative and interpretative of what preceded and led up to them. The life and its relation to the Divine purpose, prophetic anticipation, and human yearzing, would be incompretensible without this glorious trinity of consummations: death, resurrection, and ascension.