"In the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher. There they laid Jesus." John 19:41, 42
As we stand by this garden-tomb, many thoughts are suggested. Christ touched life at every point. Beginning at infancy, He went through every phase — at last lying down in a grave. There is no path on which His footprints are not seen. There is no place any of us shall have to stand, in of which we may not say, "Jesus was here. He passed through this experience; therefore He knows all about it." We dread the grave; we think of its darkness; but since Jesus has lain there — why should we fear its gloom?
Another suggestion, comes from the fact that this tomb was provided for Jesus — by His friends. Writers have noted this as another mark of His humiliation. When He was born — His cradle was a borrowed feeding trough in a stable. During His ministry — He had "nowhere to lay His head." When He died — He was buried in a borrowed grave.
Another thought, as we look at the sepulcher, is how hopeless everything seemed for the time. He on whom the disciples had leaned as the Messiah — is now silent in death, His work apparently finished. All the expectations based on Him, depended on His living to ascend a throne. It certainly seemed now to His friends, that all was over.
Yet the grave was simply the low gateway to glory. As we see it now, in the light that streams from the gospel, it interrupted no plan, quenched no light, destroyed no hope.
When shall we learn to bring the truth of immortality into our own faith and hopes? We stand by the graves of our Christian friends, almost as disconsolate as were these friends of Jesus around His grave. Why shall we not learn faith? Death ends nothing for those who die in the Lord — nothing but struggle, sorrow, and sin! No hopes perish — when a Christian is buried. Just beyond, is eternal glory!
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.