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I. Piety in SADNESS. Notice here —

1. The intensity of her affection.

2. The greatness of her courage. Few of the bravest men care to walk through a churchyard after dark; and rough soldiers were guarding Joseph's tomb.

3. The imperfection of her faith (ver. 15). We often only see a gardener in the sublimest messenger of God.

II. PIETY IN RAPTURE (ver. 16). Note —

1. The rapidity of our mental changes. Mary passed as in a moment from anguish to ecstasy.

2. The power of Christ's voice. Neither Gethsemane, the Cross, or the grave had changed it. Thus by a word Christ can lift the soul into the highest bliss.

III. PIETY IN ACTION. Note —

1. Christ's merciful identification with His disciples. "My Father and your Father."

2. The heavenward direction which their sympathies should take. Look upward — "I ascend," "Seek those things which are above."

3. The right direction of religious feeling. Action at once expresses and realizes emotion. Go and work.

(D, Thomas, D. D.)

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KJV: But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

WEB: But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb,