The Desire of Ages--82--Why Weepest Thou?

[Richard Myers]

Amen my friends. Why would some not rejoice?

  While the Saviour was in God's presence, receiving gifts for His church, the disciples thought upon His empty tomb, and mourned and wept. The day that was a day of rejoicing to all heaven was to the disciples a day of uncertainty, confusion, and perplexity. Their unbelief in the testimony of the women gives evidence of how low their faith had sunk. The news of Christ's resurrection was so different from what they had anticipated that they could not believe it. It was too good to be true, they thought. They had heard so much of the doctrines and the so-called scientific theories of the Sadducees that the impression made on their minds in regard to the resurrection was vague. They scarcely knew what the resurrection from the dead could mean. They were unable to take in the great subject. 

False teachers had caused the lack of faith. And so it is today. But, not for long!

[Beacon]

"How many are still doing what these disciples did! How many echo Mary's despairing cry, "They have taken away the Lord, . . . and we know not where they have laid Him"!"

"To how many might the Saviour's words be spoken, "Why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" He is close beside them, but their tear-blinded eyes do not discern Him. He speaks to them, but they do not understand.

 "Oh that the bowed head might be lifted, that the eyes might be opened to behold Him, that the ears might listen to His voice! "Go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen." Bid them look not to Joseph's new tomb, that was closed with a great stone, and sealed with the Roman seal. Christ is not there."

"Look not to the empty sepulcher. Mourn not as those who are hopeless and helpless. Jesus lives, and because He lives, we shall live also. From grateful hearts, from lips touched with holy fire, let the glad song ring out, Christ is risen! He lives to make intercession for us. Grasp this hope, and it will hold the soul like a sure, tried anchor. Believe, and thou shalt see the glory of God."

By Faith Jesus invites "US" to Grasp this hope---Are 'WE' Willing to trust Him??[/b][/u][/font][/size][/color]

==========================[/colo

[b
1
Come, every soul by sin oppressed,
  There’s mercy with the Lord;
And He will surely give you rest
  By trusting in His Word.
 
Only trust Him! Only trust Him!
  Only trust Him now!
He will save you! He will save you!
    He will save you now!
2
For Jesus shed His precious blood
  Rich blessings to bestow;
Plunge now into the crimson flood
  That washeth white as snow.
3
Yes, Jesus is the Truth, the Way,
  That leads you into rest;
Believe in Him without delay,
  And you are fully blest.
4
Come then, and join the holy band,
  And on to glory go;
In Christ’s redemption take your stand,
  And all His goodness know.

Lyrics:John Hart Stockton (1813-1877)
Music:John Hart Stockton (1813-1877)
[/b][/size][/color]

[Richard Myers]

Amen Brother Beacon. We ought not mourn!!   Mary mourned when Jesu stood before her.  Jesus is coming very soon!

     But now in His own familiar voice Jesus said to her, "Mary." Now she knew that it was not a stranger who was addressing her, and turning she saw before her the living Christ. In her joy she forgot that He had been crucified. Springing toward Him, as if to embrace His feet, she said, "Rabboni." But Christ raised His hand, saying, Detain Me not; "for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God." And Mary went her way to the disciples with the joyful message. 

     Jesus refused to receive the homage of His people until He had the assurance that His sacrifice was accepted by the Father. He ascended to the heavenly courts, and from God Himself heard the assurance that His atonement for the sins of men had been ample, that through His blood all might gain eternal life. The Father ratified the covenant made with Christ, that He would receive repentant and obedient men, and would love them even as He loves His Son. Christ was to complete His work, and fulfill His pledge to "make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir." Isaiah 13:12. All power in heaven and on earth was given to the Prince of Life, and He returned to His followers in a world of sin, that He might impart to them of His power and glory.  DA 790

Jesus wants to remove our filthy garments and give us His righteous character that will reveal to the world there is a mighty God in heaven who can restore His image in humanity if we will cooperate with Him.

[Dorine]

"Tell His disciples and Peter," the angels said. Since the death of Christ, Peter had been bowed down with remorse. His shameful denial of the Lord, and the Saviour's look of love and anguish, were ever before him. Of all the disciples he had suffered most bitterly. To him the assurance is given that his repentance is accepted and his sin forgiven. He is mentioned by name.

Oh, the tender mercies of Jesus. Just like His love for Peter He looks upon the repentant souls today. This should bring such comfort to those who are struggling with doubts of God's love for them because of their weaknesses and failings. The word repent is a powerful word and Jesus saw the heart of Peter that had suffered greatly. Jesus accepted the true repentance of Peter. And He readily accepts the genuine sorrow of all that come to Him. And He looks upon that sinner as if he had never sinned.  When we begin to recognize the love which has been bestowed upon each one our hearts are drawn to Him. We love Him because He first loved us.

[Beacon]

"Christ's first work on earth after His resurrection was to convince His disciples of His undiminished love and tender regard for them."

"To give them proof that He was their living Saviour,"

"That He had broken the fetters of the tomb, and could no longer be held by the enemy death."

"To reveal that He had the same heart of love as when He was with them as their beloved Teacher, He appeared to them again and again." "He would draw the bonds of love still closer around them."

 "Go tell My brethren, He said, that they meet Me in Galilee."

What tender care Jesus showed for His Disciples and He cares for each of us in our daily activities so that '"WE" can have peace in all our comings & goings... 

===========================


1
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
 
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
  Praising my Savior all the day long.
2
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
3
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,

Lyrics:Fanny Jane Crosby (1820-1915)
Music:Phoebe Palmer Knapp (1839-1908

[JimB]

  Oh that the bowed head might be lifted, that the eyes might be opened to behold Him, that the ears might listen to His voice! "Go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen."

All I can think of reading that is that so often in our lives we become muck rakers always looking down the mess around us when if we'd look up there is light and glory and our Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

[Richard Myers]

Amen Brother Jim.  We ought not be weeping, but rejoicing as we near the coming of our Lord and Savior. Many are seeking truth. We know that Christ and our heavenly Father paid the price that we might live. Jesus suffered for the sins of the whole world. He went to heaven to find out if He had suffered enough. He took the stripes that belongs to us. Such love!!

  Jesus refused to receive the homage of His people until He had the assurance that His sacrifice was accepted by the Father. He ascended to the heavenly courts, and from God Himself heard the assurance that His atonement for the sins of men had been ample, that through His blood all might gain eternal life. The Father ratified the covenant made with Christ, that He would receive repentant and obedient men, and would love them even as He loves His Son. Christ was to complete His work, and fulfill His pledge to "make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir." Isaiah 13:12. All power in heaven and on earth was given to the Prince of Life, and He returned to His followers in a world of sin, that He might impart to them of His power and glory. 

[Dorine]

  How many are still doing what these disciples did! How many echo Mary's despairing cry, "They have taken away the Lord, . . . and we know not where they have laid Him"! To how many might the Saviour's words be spoken, "Why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?" He is close beside them, but their tear-blinded eyes do not discern Him. He speaks to them, but they do not understand.        
Oh that the bowed head might be lifted, that the eyes might be opened to behold Him, that the ears might listen to His voice! "Go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen." Bid them look not to Joseph's new tomb, that was closed with a great stone, and sealed with the Roman seal. Christ is not there. Look not to the empty sepulcher. Mourn not as those who are hopeless and helpless. Jesus lives, and because He lives, we shall live also. From grateful hearts, from lips touched with holy fire, let the glad song ring out, Christ is risen! He lives to make intercession for us. Grasp this hope, and it will hold the soul like a sure, tried anchor. Believe, and thou shalt see the glory of God.


It thrills our souls to know how much we are worth to Jesus. So many do not know this. We have a work to do and so little time to do it. Souls are lost and need to know this Jesus who hung on that cruel cross even if it was for just one sinner. No matter how far they had gone in sin His blood and sacrifice would heal their wounds if they would accept Him into their hearts.

[Richard Myers]

Amen dear Sister Dorine!  We have no reason to weep as did the unbelieving disciples! Jesus is alive and interceding that we might live!

 Oh that the bowed head might be lifted, that the eyes might be opened to behold Him, that the ears might listen to His voice! "Go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen." Bid them look not to Joseph's new tomb, that was closed with a great stone, and sealed with the Roman seal. Christ is not there. Look not to the empty sepulcher. Mourn not as those who are hopeless and helpless. Jesus lives, and because He lives, we shall live also. From grateful hearts, from lips touched with holy fire, let the glad song ring out, Christ is risen! He lives to make intercession for us. Grasp this hope, and it will hold the soul like a sure, tried anchor. Believe, and thou shalt see the glory of God.