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I. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS ACT OF CHRIST?

1. It implies the transcendent nature of spiritual things, far exceeding the highest flight and reach of natural reason.

2. Christ's opening the understanding implies the insufficiency of all external means, how excellent soever they are in themselves to operate savingly upon men, till Christ by His power opens the soul, and so makes them effectual.

3. Christ's opening the understanding imports His Divine power, whereby He is able to subdue all things to Himself. Who but God knows the heart? Who but God can unlock and open it at pleasure?

II. BY WHAT ACTS CHRIST PERFORMS THIS WORK.

1. By His Word.

2. By His Spirit. He breaks in upon the understanding and conscience by powerful convictions and compunctions (John 16:8).When this is done, the heart is opened: saving light now shines in it; and this light set up, the spirit in the soul is —

1. A new light, in which all things appear far otherwise than they did before. The names "Christ" and "sin," the words "heaven" and "hell" have another sound in that man's ears, than formerly they had.

2. It is a very affecting light; a light that hath heat and powerful influences with it, which makes deep impressions on the heart.

3. And it is a growing light, like the light of the morning, which "shines more and more unto the perfect day" (Proverbs 4:18).Inferences:

1. If this be the work and office of Jesus Christ, to open the understandings of men; hence we infer the miseries that lie upon those men, whose understandings, to this day, Jesus Christ hath not opened; of whom we may say, as it is Deuteronomy 29:4.

2. If Jesus Christ be the great Prophet of the Church, then surely He will take special care both of the Church and the under-shepherds appointed by Him to feed them.

3. Hence you that are yet in darkness, may be directed to whom to apply yourselves for saving knowledge. It is Christ that hath the sovereign eye-salve that can cure your blindness.

4. Since then there is a common light, and special saving light, which none but Christ can give, it is therefore the concernment of every one of you to try what your light is. "We know that we all have knowledge" (1 Corinthians 8:1).These lights differ —

1. In their very kind and natures. The one is heavenly, supernatural, and spiritual; the other earthly and natural, the effect of a better constitution or education (James 3:15, 17).

2. They differ most apparently in their effects and operations. The light that comes in a special way from Christ, is humbling, abasing, and soul-emptying light; by it a man feels the vileness of his own nature and practice, which begets self-loathing in him; but natural light, on the contrary, puffs up and exalts, makes the heart swell with self-conceitedness (1 Corinthians 8:1). The light of God is practical and operative, still urging the soul — yea, lovingly constraining it to obedience.

3. They differ in their issues. Natural common knowledge vanisheth, as the apostle speaks (1 Corinthians 13:8). 'Tis but Mayflower, and dies in its month. "Doth not their excellency that is in them go away?" (Job 4:21). But this that springs from Christ is perfected, not destroyed by death; it springs up into everlasting life. The soul in which it is subjected carries it away with it into glory.

4. How are they obliged to love, serve, and honour Jesus Christ, whom he hath enlightened with the saving knowledge of Himself? O that with hands and hearts lifted up to heaven, ye would adore the free grace of Jesus Christ to your souls!

(J. Flavel.)

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KJV: And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

WEB: As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace be to you."