May 3

PART III.—Luke 24:5—6

HAVING glanced at the evidence of Christ's resurrection, let this exercise be devoted to consider its character, importance and design. Christ's resurrection had been both typified and predicted in the writings of the old testament scriptures. The release of Isaac, after being bound as a sacrifice, on the third day after leaving his Father's house; at the release and exaltation of Joseph from prison, at the third year of his confinement; the removal of the gates of Gaza by Sampson, during the darkness of midnight; and the deliverance of Jonah from the belly of the fish; all strikingly prefigured the resurrection of Christ from the dead. And both David, Isaiah, and Hosea, had foretold the same event. Christ had also repeatedly spoken of it to his disciples. (see Matthew 20:17—19.) Christ's resurrection was effected by his own Divine power. He had power to lay down his life, and he had power to take it up again. He was the power of God, and emphatically the life of the world. His resurrection body, was identically the same that suffered. Hence he was at once recognised by his disciples. Hence too, he exhibited his sacred scars; his pierced hands and feet. His body however, was distinguished for its peculiar properties and glory. He could render himself visible or invisible. He could present himself in the midst of his disciples, when the doors were all closed. Doubtless it was what the Apostle means, when he speaks of "a glorious spiritual body." When Jesus arose, he arose to die no more. Now he exclaims in triumph, "I am he that liveth, and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore." The Sun of heaven set in blood on Calvary's elevated mount, but arose the third day, in celestial splendour, to set no more for ever. Christ arose from the dead with unabated affection for a guilty and perishing world. All the calumnies which his enemies heaped upon him, all the insults he had borne, and all the sufferings he had endured, had not impaired his affection for the souls of men. He died, praying for his enemies, and arose, that repentance and remission of sins might be preached to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. The importance of Christ's resurrection we must defer to our next exercise.