John 20:19-23 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week… I. THE TIME WHEN HE APPEARED. "The same day at evening." 1. Not till He had appeared before to others. Mary Magdalene had seen Him, and Peter and the Emmaus two. It is painful to be thus passed over; to know that He is lifting up the light of His countenance upon others, while we have no glimpse of it. We do not like an earthly friend to pass us by; much less the heavenly. 2. When they did not expect Him, surely they would have left the doors open. And often does He surprise His people. The heart is closed in despair against Him. But "at evening time, it is light"; when light is the last thing expected. Does not this call upon us to cultivate a waiting, expecting spirit. We must not think ourselves forgotten, our turn will come. 3. When they were talking together of Him. St. Luke tells us that "Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them as they spoke; not prayed. What an honour was here put on Christian conversation and communion! And our own experience corresponds. When have our hearts been warmed in social converse, and left refreshed, and longing to see one another again? Has it not been when, forgetting a vexing world, we have spoken together of our blessed Master?" Where two or three are gathered together in My name," &c. II. THE SALUTATION. We may regard it as — 1. An indication of the peace that reigned within His own soul. We are most ready to speak of what our hearts are full. With distracted minds we are not likely to speak of peace, unless it be to deplore our want of it. 2. An assurance of His forgiveness. 3. An intimation of our Lord's power to communicate the peace it speaks of. Observe the action, "He showed unto them His hands and His side." suggesting that He had made peace for them through the blood of His cross. "See here that the chastisement of your peace has been really on Me. I shall show this hand and this side to My Father on His throne, and claim peace for you." III. THE EFFECT OF THIS APPEARANCE AND SALUTATION — more than peace, it was gladness. Here is a striking fulfilment of that promise — "Ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy." Their joy was connected with the sight of their Master. Nothing but this could comfort Mary. She goes from the garden to the disciples, and finds them absorbed in sorrow. She bears her testimony, but of what use is it? St. Mark says, "They believed her not." Not one word do we read of their joy till Jesus Himself came. "Then were the disciples glad." Now there is such a thing still as a sight of this risen Saviour. S . Paul tells the Galatians who could never have beheld His face in the flesh, that "before their eyes Jesus Christ had been evidently set forth, crucified among them." To see Christ, then, is to understand this gospel, to receive it of Christ and heartily believe it. Have you ever thus seen the Lord? Till you have thus seen Him, you will never be happy men. (C. Bradley, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. |
    |