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Mark the order to be observed, for it is here prescribed, in promulgating the system of truth and mercy throughout the world. They were to "begin at Jerusalem"; and therefore we must begin there. For thus it is written — "A law shall go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." This part of the Divine order gives to our common Christianity a character of the most resplendent truth. "Beginning at Jerusalem." Suppose they had begun anywhere else but at Jerusalem. Suppose they had passed Jerusalem by. Suppose they had gone to the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. Suppose they had gone to countries still more remote, and there commenced operations, and there proclaimed repentance and remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ. Infidelity with both its eyes open and both its ears, to look at anything that can be seen, and listen to anything that can be heard, which can be lifted up to the discredit of Christianity — infidelity would very soon have raised its crest, arid lifted its voice on high. It would have said, "You see how these apostles, as they are called, managed this matter. Not a man of them dared say a word in Jerusalem. They knew, if they had gone there with their tales about the darkened sun, the rending rocks and rising dead, the people of Jerusalem would have risen up to confront them; a child of seven years old would have been enough to confront them all. Away they went to another part of the world, and there began with their tales of one Jesus that lived and died and rose again, and that all who believe in Him will be saved by Him; and these untutored people, who had no means of ascertaining whether the statements were true or false, seeing the confidence with which they were asserted, were credulous enough to receive them, and thus your Christianity made a beginning in the world." Did it sot Let infidelity blush, if of a blush it is capable — which I very much doubt — for where shame is, virtue may be some day or other. Let infidelity blush! — at Jerusalem they did begin. On the very spot where the facts happened, there were those facts fearlessly and triumphantly proclaimed. They did not wait half a century, till a]most all that lived when the facts occurred were numbered with the dead. They went immediately; they "began" there on the very spot; there they preached a risen Saviour, and repentance and remission of sins in His name. Truth loves daylight, truth glories in the sunshine — invites attention, challenges examination, commands conviction and assent. "Begin at Jerusalem!" and does not this give to our Divine Christianity a character of the tenderest compassion? "Begin at Jerusalem?" I can almost imagine I hear Simon Peter, who had a warm heart and therefore a ready tongue, say to his Master — "Oh! let it be rather anywhere but Jerusalem. Hast Thou forgotten how they treated Thy prophets before Thee? Hast Thou so soon forgotten how they treated Thyself? — how they despised Thy teaching and Thy prayers, and Thy entreaties and tears? Hast Thou so soon forgotten how they thirsted for Thy blood, and how they rested not till they had imbrued their hands in it? Look at Thy hands and side, do not they bear the marks of their cruelty? — Anywhere but Jerusalem." Such might be the language of man, but such was not the determination of our merciful Redeemer — "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." "Begin at Jerusalem." "Though I bear the marks of their cruelty, they shall have the first offer of My clemency. Begin there. Go and try to find out those that falsely accused Me, and tell them I am ready to become their advocate, to plead their cause before the throne on high. 'Begin at Jerusalem ' — try to find out those that scourged Me, and tell them from Me, that by My stripes they may be healed. 'Begin at Jerusalem ' — find out those cruel wretches that mingled for Me in My extremity the cup of vinegar and gall, and tell them from Me, that at My hand they may receive the cup of salvation. 'Begin at Jerusalem' — find out those that plaited the crown of thorns — that put it on — that smote Me with a reed, and mocked Me — and tell them from Me, that from Me they may receive' a crown of glory that fadeth not away.'"

(R. Newton, D. D.)

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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."