III THE RESURRECTION A REVELATION OF MAN'S CAPABILITIES The Church of Christ exists for the sake of maintaining in the world great truths, rooted in great facts. Once let go of the facts, and the truths for which they stand will evaporate into thin air. Of these facts, none can be greater than that of the resurrection from the dead of Jesus of Nazareth. The evidences of that resurrection were such that the fact became the foundation of the Church, the inspiration of the apostles, the illumination of life itself. The resurrection produced such a change in the character of the apostles that, from being timid, discouraged, and perplexed men, they became unsubduable and unconquerable heroes. How immeasurably important this fact is, may be gathered from the language of St. Paul: "If Christ hath not been raised ye are yet in your sins. Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished." Apart from the resurrection, the life of Jesus of Nazareth is unintelligible. The resurrection gives it finish, completeness, and unity. Why should the innocent suffer with the guilty? The resurrection of Jesus gives the answer. As we see the life of Jesus now, it is a whole, not a fragment. The argument from the beautiful wholeness of the life is one of the subtlest, but one of the most convincing arguments for the validity of the several parts which go to make the whole. Whenever you find anything in the parts which harmonizes with the whole, you may rest assured of its genuineness. I do not propose to waste your time this morning in reminding you of anything which sceptics have advanced why they should not believe in our Lord's resurrection. It is never of the slightest use offering truth to people who do not want to receive it. Whenever there is hunger, bread is appreciated. Wherever there is thirst, water is valued. Whenever men have an appetite for the "bread of life," they will find it and it will taste good. To me the resurrection of our Lord is a great and glorious fact, full of revelation which we all need. The New Testament presents that fact in the most impressive way, because in the most literal way, the historical way; or, as St. John puts it: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you." The New Testament presents that fact in the most impressive honest men, who gave their lives in attestation of their honesty. But these facts are simple and profound. They belong, thus, to the child and the man. They have depths in them which we need to fathom. No fact is simple, so as to be completely understood all at once. The word, "Man," is a very simple word. "There is a man," is a very simple utterance, which every child can understand. And yet that word, |