THE empty tomb teaches wonderful lessons. As we stand by it, we are assured, first, that Jesus died. He was certainly dead, for Pilate had official inquiry made, and received assurance of the fact before he would grant leave for the burial. If any doubt had existed concerning His death, there could be none after the soldier had thrust the spear into His side. Here are the pieces of fine linen, which gentle hands had wound, round the limbs. Here is the napkin which covered His face, lying, neatly folded, by itself. Look closely at the place, for He was here—He was dead.

It is very important that we get this truth well fixed in our minds, for on Christ’s death our redemption depends. But He is not now in His grave. There is no dead form lying there where He lay yesterday. The grave is empty, and it whispers a blessed truth to the Christian. Jesus rose; so shall all who sleep in Him rise from their graves when He comes again.

EVENING: A BEAUTIFUL LIFE

A LIFE need not be great to be beautiful. There may be as much beauty in a tiny flower as in a majestic tree, in a little gem as in a great mountain, in the smallest creature as in a mammoth. A life may be very lovely and yet be insignificant in the world’s eyes. A beautiful life is one that fulfils its mission in this world, that is what God made it to be, and does what God made it to do. Those with only commonplace gifts are in danger of thinking that they cannot live a beautiful life, cannot be a blessing in this world. But the smallest life that fills its place well is far lovelier in God’s sight than the largest and most splendidly gifted that yet fails of its divine mission.

“Far better in its place the lowliest bird
Should sing aright to Him the lowliest song,
Than that a seraph strayed should take the word
And sing his glory wrong.”

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