LC;, in a place by itself, having been folded, v.7. The two items had not been handled the same way. John deliberately distinguishes between the folded head cloth and the lying linen strips, in order to impress this difference upon the reader. Friends could have folded the head cloth, but they could not have taken the body of the Lord out of the linen bands with- out disturbing them; enemies, likewise, could not have done the latter, nor would they have done the former. There re- mained only the third possibility - Christ himself slipped out of the linen bands and either He or an angel folded the head cloth. The empty tomb with the huge stone rolled away, the lying linen strips, and the folded headcloth convinced John. He believed, v.8, that the Lord had risen. D. The fact of the resurrection of Jesus is the only satis- factory explanation of the empty tomb. Neither the friends nor the enemies of Christ would have remained silent had they removed his dead body from the sepulcher. Indeed, the chief priests and the elders bribed the guards in an attempt to cover up the fact of the resurrection. Matt. 28: 11-15. But the evi- dence of the empty tomb remains, and, like John, we believe that Christ rose from the dead. II A. John believed because he saw. "For as yet they knew not the Scripture that He must rise again from the dead," v. 9. Had the two disciples possessed a proper understanding of the Scriptures at that time, they would have been prepared for the tremendous event. Moses and the Prophets had foretold the Messiah's resurrection, Luke 24: 27; Christ Himself pro- claimed it, but the disciples "understood none of these things," Luke 18: 31-34. B. Later on, when the disciples had grasped the full im- port of the prophecies of the Old Testament regarding the Messiah's death and resurrection, they used them to prove the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. They quoted Ps. 2: 7 (Acts 13: 33); Ps. 16: 9 (Acts 2: 25-31); Ps. 110: 1 (Acts 2: 32-36). By inspiration of the Holy Spirit they gave us the record of the great Easter event. Cpo the four Gospels and also Paul's sweeping testimony, 1 Cor. 15: 4-8. This testimony of the Scriptures we accept in faith, and on the basis of it we believe in a living Savior. HOMILETICS 211 C. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is of tremen- dous importance to us Christians, 1 Cor. 15: 55-58. If we keep before us the fact of the risen Redeemer, we shall have greater comfort and more hope in the present life and more fervent zeal in doing the will of Him who loved us and died for us and rose again. Amen. WALTER A. BAEPLER EASTER MONDAY JOHN 20:11-18 What heart-thrilling truths lie within that challenging outcry of the early Church: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever!" Heb.13: 8. Have you thought of them? If not, this story affords an excellent opportunity. Mary thought Jesus had changed. Wasn't He dead and gone? His wonderful appearance, how- ever, proved to her as it will to us- JESUS STILL THE SAME I. The Same Savior Text. - Why did Mary weep? "Why?" asked angels. Was it not chiefly her fear of being without a Savior? She, more than others - Luke 7: 39 - had experienced His power to save. Now that nothing of Him remained - even His body taken away - what would become of her? Would she fall again into Satan's power? To her, therefore, a chief of sinners, Jesus appeared first, showing the same mercy, proving He is the same Savior. Application. - How graciously Jesus received penitent sinners, such as Zacchaeus, publicans, the malefactor! That, of course, was "yesterday!" How is it today after His resur- rection, in His exaltation? Is He still ready to forgive? Is it still true - Rom. 5: 20? Indeed, His resurrection proves He is today as yesterday. Oh, burdened consciences, heartsick apos- tates, doubting souls, remember: Jesus is still the same Savior. II. The Same Companion Text. - "They have taken away my Lord," Mary cried. So keenly she felt the separation. His fellowship had meant so much to her that she had followed Him - even to the Cross. She had found Him the best Friend and Companion. But now 212 HOMILETICS He seemed gone beyond recall, far, far away. Still He was near, very near. He appeared to her, called her by name, conversed - just like before, proving He is the same Com- panion. Application. - What a glorious "yesterday" was the day of Christ's visible presence! "The Word ... flesh ... dwelt among us ... beheld.". .. John 1: 14! What blessing to dis- ciples on dark, stormy seas to have Him near, hear: "Fear not, it is 1." What a Companion! Is He still the same? Is He as near today as yesterday? His resurrection has not altered, but confirmed His "I am with you." His appearance to Mary shows you, 0 lonely, fearful, trembling souls, - Jesus is still the same Companion. III. The Same Commander Text. - Recognizing Him, Mary approached closer to Jesus. He, however, restrained her. He wanted her to per- form an important service, without delay. "Go, tell," He commanded. She, with her joyous experience, was to comfort weeping, hiding disciples, and so she learned: Jesus was still the same solicitous Commander. Application. - Already before His death Jesus had com- missioned disciples, twelve, seventy, Luke 9 and 10. To all He said: "Confess Me before men," Matt. 10: 32. "Preach ye upon the housetops," Matt. 10: 27. Is that still His command? Is He the same divine "Commissioner" today? Indeed, His resurrection has not changed, but reinforced Matt. 28: 19! Each one is to reach one ... and more! Remember this, if you are inclined to disparage Synod's anniversary mission efforts. He is still the same "Commander." IV. The Same Comforter Text. - Always had Mary found comfort in Jesus' words. But how was it now, after He was risen, exalted? Were consolations withdrawn? By no means! Said He: "My Father and God is also yours. As I ascend in glory, so will you," John 14: 13; 17: 22-24. Could not Mary tell He was still the same wonderful Comforter? Application. - How often in days of humiliation had Jesus stressed these consolations! Matt. 5: 12; 13: 43; John 10: 27. That was a long time ago. How is it today? Are these com- HOMILETICS 213 forts altered, withdrawn, discredited? No, in fact, they are more certain than ever; sealed by His resurrection. Oh, look and listen, all ye downcast, sorrowing, grieving ones - to Jesus. He is still the same Comforter. Conclusion. - Hearing all this, ought we not shout with joy as the early Christians: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever!"? ALVIN E. WAGNER FmST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER JOHN 21: 15-19 The regular Gospel for this Sunday tells of Christ's ap- pearance to His disciples (John 20: 19-31). A most fitting Gospel! The risen Lord comes to His disciples to enrich them (vv. 19-20). But He comes also to enstrust them a) with a most important service (vv.22-23) and to impart to them b) a true, overcoming faith (vv. 24 ft.). The importance of such faith is properly demonstrated in the Epistle for this Sunday (1 John 5: 4-10). Unless we believe in the risen Son of God, we shall not have eternal life. True faith, however, manifests itself in ardent love toward God and the neighbor (Matt. 22: 37 ft.; Gal. 5: 6), and only he who truly loves Christ can truly serve Him in the ministry of the Word. TRUE LOVE FOR THE RISEN SAVIOR I. This Christ demands of His disciples II. This should show itself in true service I A. To understand the text properly, we must consider Christ's own seeking and gathering love (vv.1-14). Calvary preaches Christ's redeeming love; but every appearance of the risen Lord to His disciples proves His matchless winning love. He came to them with the message of peace to assure them that He was their risen Savior and truest Friend. But love divine demands love of all disciples of Jesus. B. Christ demanded love especially of Peter. We know the reason why (Matt. 26: 69 ft.). But Peter had repented of his heinous sin (Matt. 26: 75) and so was to be restored to his apostleship (Luke 22: 32). Nevertheless, he was to give proof 214 HOMILETICS of his love. The great earnestness of Christ in examining His repentant disciple is shown 1) by the name "Simon, son of Jonas," for he had not proved himself a "rock"; 2) by the question put to him three times, each demanding a most serious self-searching; 3) by the demand to love "more," for he had sinned more grievously than had the other disciples; 4) by the Lord's prediction of the manner of his death (vv.18-19). Peter had sinned once in the face of death; would he deny Him again and thus deny also his love for Jesus? Truly, his was a most momentous meeting with the risen Lord. C. The risen Christ demands true love also of us who are His disciples. To us too He comes with the important question: "Lovest thou Me?" This love flows from His own great love revealed in His suffering, death, and resurrection (1 John 4: 19). This love is found only where there is true repentance and faith (v. 17: "grieved"). This love bears the Lord's examination and professes itself in many emphatic replies (vv.15-17). Christ is not present visibly as He was then, but He is still present with us in the Word and Sacra- ments and demands of us true love. Will you give it? Easter is a feast of joy, but also one of deep seriousness, of honest self-examination, and of solemn profession of our love for Christ. II A. This love should show itself in true service, as the threefold command to Peter proves (vv. 15 ff.). Peter was to feed the Lord's sheep and lambs, adults and children. He who had professed his love for Christ by word, was to profess it yet more convincingly by his life in the apostolic ministry. And oh, how well he fed Christ's sheep! (Cp. Acts 2: 14 ff.; 3: 6; 4: 1 ff.; 5: 29 ff.; 10: 1 ff.) His was a difficult ministry (vv. 18 f.), but he was faithful unto death (his martyrdom). B. There still are sheep and lambs to be fed at home and abroad. Do we show our love for the risen Savior by "vit- nessing of Christ where we have opportunity, by praying for the coming of the Lord's kingdom, by giving joyously and constantly in order that Christ's work may be fully carried out? Do we show our love for Christ by fulfilling our obliga- tions in home and school? The work is as important now as it HOMILETICB 215 was when Christ examined Peter, for the Church is still to be planted the world over (Mark 16: 15 f.; Matt. 28: 19 f.). C. Lovest thou Me? So the Savior asks us today. What will be your answer? Feed My sheep. So the Savior com- mands us today. Will Peter's response be ours? Only if that is the case, then have we celebrated Easter rightly and profitably. JOHN THEODORE MUELLER SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER JOHN 15: 9-16 During His public ministry the Lord bestowed some notable titles upon His followers: "Ye are the light of the world," "the salt of the earth," the "blessed of My Father," "V\ritnesses of these things," "My disciples indeed," and in our text, YE ARE MY FRIENDS I. How did they become friends? II. What are their privileges as friends? A. The followers of Christ did not become His friends by any previous friendly attitude or merit on their part. V. 16 a. It was impossible for us to make the first overture of friend- ship, because the carnal mind is enmity against God. (Rom. 8: 7; 1 Cor. 2: 14; Eph. 2: 1; 1 Cor. 12: 3.) B. It is evident that under these conditions Jesus had to take the first step to establish friendly relations with man. "But I have chosen you." V.16 b. (1 John 4: 10; Rom. 5: 8.) C. Therefore the next step that Christ took to make us His friends, was to die for us. V. 13. In the place of the guilty ones, Christ gave His own life, thus delivering His friends from the punishment they should have borne for all their transgressions. (2 Cor. 5: 19.) He remits the debt, the handwriting against us is blotted out, we are His own. D. The third step that Jesus took to secure us as His friends, was to tell us about His love. He told His disciples about His love for them. V. 9, 11, 15. He preached the Gos- pel to the poor. (Luke 4: 18.) He tenderly invited all to come to Him. (Matt. 11: 28.) And those that came were not cast out. (John 6: 37.) He was a friend of penitent publicans 216 I HOMILETICS and sinners. (Matt. 11: 19; Luke 15: 1-2.) He referred to Lazarus, who had died, as "our friend." (John 11: 11.) When He ascended into heaven, Jesus made provision for the proc- lamation of His friendship and love for all men. "Teach all nations"; "Preach the Gospel to every creature." St. Paul wrote: 2 Cor. 5: 20. E. All who accept by faith the Word of Reconciliation become the friends of Christ. (James 2: 23.) - What an honor to be chosen as a friend of Christ! Everything that is done by the believers in faith is the result of the gracious election of Christ. We may sing and pray: Luthemn Hym,nal 362: 1; 347: 1. II A. What are the privileges of the friends of Christ? Jesus does not treat His friends like servants. A benevolent master will be friendly in the treatment of his servants. But he does not spread his personal affairs before them. He will not reveal his intention and plans to them. "The servant knoweth not what his lord doeth." V. 15 a. But as "the Lord spake unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto his friend" (Ex. 33: 11), so the Lord spake to His disciples. V.15 b. (Cp. John 17: 26.) What a privilege to be in the confidence of Jesus and to be admitted to the inner circle of His friends! B. Another privilege that Jesus accords His friends is the privilege of serving Him. V. 10, 14. Just as Christ kept the will of His Father in the work of our salvation, so the Chris- tians, His friends, will gratefully delight in observing all of His commandments, remembering all of the sayings of Jesus, always clinging to Him by faith in His Gospel. C. As an evidence of this faith, the friends of Jesus will have the privilege of loving the brethren, always keeping the love of Christ in mind. V. 12. Biblical instances of such love and service are: The enduring friendship of Jonathan for David, even under adverse circumstances. (1 Sam. 20); John the Baptist (John 3: 26-30); St. Paul (2 Cor. 5: 14; Rom. 9: 1-3); Priscilla and Aquila (Rom. 16: 4). Ought we not also love our brethren and sisters, yea, all our fellow men? (1 John 3: 16-18). D. A final privilege is to be the recipients of the joy that Christ will bestow upon His friends. V. 11. As Christ re- HOMILETICS 217 joiced in the intimate communion with His Father, so the friends of Christ will feel the same joy in the constant com- munion with Christ and God. Theirs will be a full and last- ing measure of joy in contrast with the fleeting joys of this world. An evidence of this joyous communion with Christ and God will be the petitions which the friends of Christ will constantly bring to the Throne of Grace in the name of Jesus (v. 16 b), trusting in His redemption, which has restored them to their rightful position as the children of God and the friends of Christ. Therefore, in conclusion, may we continue in the love of our heavenly Friend (v.9) and as His true friends joyfully keep and do His commandments, love Him and one another and bring forth fruits of righteousness. Lutheran Hymnal, 399: 5-6. H. C. HARTING