"Devotional Period"

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 3, 1 April 1949, Page 3

"Devotional Period"

Hymn 143 Scripture Reading: St. John, Chap. Jl, vs. u-ta At the sepulchre Early morning saw Mary Magdalene at the tomb, with her grief newly awakened, and the dreadful agony that only the mourner can understand, that comes with the awakening from the heavy sleep of exhaustion following on overwhelming sorrow. She was weeping. The simplicity of the statement makes the scene very real to u> Poor Mary! All that her tears expressed cannot be realised; but every woman knows that in her griei, she was one with womanhood the world over. Looking into the sepulchre, and finding that the loved body was not there, another element entered into the suffering heart of Mary. Stolen! Gone all the hope oi ministering to the lifeless clay. Some solace there would have been if she could have dme her little share in that loving last service; but it was not to be; and Mary’s tears fell faster in her disappointment and pain. And then, the heartbroken enquiry of the supposed gardener showed how bitter was her suffering, “ Tell me where Thou hast laid Him,” she cried. Oh that moment of revelation! Too wonderful, too sacred for words to describe. It came to the two at Eniinaus that same evening, when He was known to them in the breaking of bread. It came to Thomas alter darkness and despair of doubt. It came to Peter on the lake shore in the early morning. Not in protestations, not in appeals to the reason, but in the quiet irresistible, unconquerable might of His resurrection the Lord opened the eyes of those who loved Him. Have we seen Him as these earlier ones did? Prayer In the silence, Oh Lord, our Redeemer, open our eyes that we may see Thee as Thou art, nsen, victorious over death and the grave. Let us realise Thy presence here. Grant us to follow Thee; to give ourselves to Thy service; to feed Thy lambs; and to seek and save the lost. We give thanks from our full hearts for Thy life and death for us and for our redemption; and pray for the power of Thy Holy Spirii in all our w r ays. Guide us in all things; lead us to clearer understanding; and give to us the consciousness of Thine abiding presence in all our work and in all circumstances. Amen.