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From this we learn —

1. That the primitive disciples were in the habit of meeting for mutual comfort and edification, which says to us, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together," &c.

2. That the time of their religious gatherings was the first day of the week, which supplies authority for our observance of the Lord's-day as the Christian Sabbath.

3. That when so assembled they were always visited by Christ; which shows that He keeps His promise — "Where two or three," &c.

4. That where Christ presents Himself, He invariably does four things.

I. HE BRINGS A BENEDICTION. One of the last things He promised is the first which He bestows — "peace." Observe this is —

1. The great blessing of the covenant, including every kind of peace the human heart can want — peace with God, conscience, man.

2. A much-needed blessing, as urgently needed now as then; because of guilt and danger.

3. A purchased blessing; secured by the shedding of Christ's blood.

4. An efficacious blessing. It was no mere wish, pleasant to hear, not vague or idle in significance, but an actual communication of the thing desired.

II. HE GIVES A REVELATION. "He showed them," &c. This revelation was —

1. Divine.

(1) In its origin "He," and it is still Christ Himself who bestows upon His people the "spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him."(2) In its character. What He showed was Himself, than which He has nothing higher to impart. Christ crucified and risen is the highest revelation that can be given on the subject of God, man, truth, duty, salvation, eternal life.

2. Sufficient.

(1) Then. The assembled apostles required no more, nor Thomas on the following Lord's-day.

(2) Now. It contains all that a sinful man wants to justify his reason in reposing faith in Christ.

3. Cheering. "Then were the disciples glad." And so joy and peace to-day are the invariable results of a believing apprehension of the Saviour (Romans 15:13; 1 Peter 1:8).

III. HE ASSIGNS A COMMISSION. "As My Father," &c. This is —

1. Authoritative in its source. It emanates from Him to whom all power in heaven and earth has been given by the Father, and to whom by our saintship we owe allegiance. From Him, therefore, who has a right to command, and who cannot be disobeyed without incurring heinous guilt.

2. Imitative in its character, fashioned after the pattern of Christ's, by the same authority, in the same manner, and for a similar end.

3. Alternative in its issues, being fraught with either blessing or cursing. "Whosoever sins," &c.

IV. HE SUPPLIES A QUALIFICATION. "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." A qualification —

1. Much needed. "Not by might nor by power."

2. Perfectly sufficient. Not that Christ's people are to neglect subsidiary helps, such as learning, &c.; only that with the Spirit they will not be left destitute of anything requisite for their work.

3. Very real.

(T. Whitelaw, D. D.)

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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.

WEB: When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be to you."