on the third day, and showed him openly; not to all the people, but unto
witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with
him after he rose from the dead."[139]

What they saw was the true body of their Lord, the same that had been
crucified, dead, and buried, but a marvellous change had passed over it.
It was now possessed of spiritual qualities, suddenly appearing,
suddenly vanishing; now felt to be made of flesh and bones, and now
passing through closed doors, or walking upon water. It was no longer
subject to natural law as it had been before the Resurrection; and when
the disciples beheld the Lord, they had not only proof of His continued
existence, of His being God as well as man, and of God's seal having
been set upon His atoning work,--they had also an intimation of what
life hereafter will be for His followers, who shall be like Him, for
they shall see Him as He is.

How full and widespread was the belief in the Resurrection of Jesus in
the hearts of those who were its witnesses, is apparent not only from
the fact that the great theme of their preaching was "Jesus and the
resurrection," but is also evident from the importance they attached to
the Lord's Day and the Lord's Supper. These institutions have a direct
connection with the Resurrection, the former having been substituted for
the Jewish Sabbath expressly on the ground that on that day the Lord
rose; the latter, while it commemorates His death, sets forth also His
resurrection life.


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