John 20:8

EASTER THOUGHTS

‘Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.’

John 20:8

We have sung in faith and with joy our Easter hymn, ‘Jesus Christ is risen to-day; our triumphant holy day, Alleluia.’

What, then, are our lessons?

I. The Risen Christ is the giver of pardon.—‘He died for our sins, and was raised again for our justification,’ and we cannot receive His grace of life and joy till we have received His grace of forgiveness. This is the true order in the teaching of the Scriptures, and therefore in the teaching of the Church.

II. The Risen Christ is the giver of joy.—This should follow on pardon, and this Christ would bring to us on Easter Day. Does a gloomy Christian commend the religion of Him Who brought Easter gladness to His people?

III. The Risen Christ is the giver of life through His Spirit.—What do we understand by the life Christ brought? ‘This is life eternal’—the Divine life—the spiritual life—begun here, perfected hereafter—‘to know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent.’

IV. The Risen Christ has a message for mourners and for those who draw near the dark valley.

—Bishop R. F. L. Blunt.