He Is Not Here; He Is Risen
“He Is Not Here; He Is Risen.”—Jesus Christ, or His truth, or His work, can not be imprisoned, or bound, or stayed by stone, or creed, or tradition, or resolution. All the progress of God’s work has been over broken resolutions and wrecked constitutions made by men. He is the Living One. He arose to burst every tomb and bond that binds men, and to set them free. He could not be holden of the grave. Acts 2:24. Nothing in which Christ abides can be bound by man. The life may be crushed out, and the dead grave may remain with us; but “He is not here; He is risen.” Because He is risen, His Spirit is come. It is being poured out. It brings all blessings in its train. It fits men now, as of old, if they will permit, to witness for God. “Ye shall receive power, when the Holy Ghost is upon you; and ye shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” These are the words of the risen Christ. He waits to bestow that Spirit upon every soul consecrated to His work. He pleads with His unbelieving disciples, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost,” “the Spirit of truth.”—Apples of Gold Library. No. 36.