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The Gospel of John, The Period of Consummation, Part XXI, John 20:19,20 - Lesson 198
Read Verses John 20:19, 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.
This is one of the many references to the first day of the week.
The first day of the week was observed beginning from the first Sunday after the crucifixion.
This was the day of the resurrection and this day has been the day of remembrance for Christians since.
The disciples were gathered is an example for all believers.
The world was shut out.
This is the pattern for worship.
We are not to bring the world into our gatherings.
And if this is observed Jesus will be in the midst and he will say Peace be unto you.
John mentions that the doors were shut but this only reveals to us that the resurrection body shall be without the limitations of the mortal body.
Jesus Christ did not need an angel to open the door for him as Peter did later as recounted in the book of Acts.
Jesus Christ came to a barred room and stood in the midst of them.
Walls and locked doors were no hindrance to him.
The disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews.
Had they heard that they were accused of stealing the body of Christ?
Were they awaiting arrest and hiding from Rome?
They had denied their Lord and for the most part run away from any connection with Jesus Christ.
Peter had denied him and the others had forsaken him.
If indeed Jesus Christ had risen would it not be normal for him to forsake the disciples and reject them because they had denied him?
Wouldn't he demand an explanation of their behavior?
Wouldn't he tell them that all was over and he would have nothing further to do with them?
He certainly would pronounce shame upon them!
But instead the Lord pronounces Peace be unto you!
So peace is the first word he pronounces in the ears of his disciples.
He quiets their troubled conscience.
He removes their fears.
He comes not to judge but to bring peace to their hearts.
John 20:20, And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
As a soldier who is victorious in battle Jesus Christ showed his followers the marks of the battle.
John says he showed his disciples his hands and his side.
Luke records that they also beheld his feet.
Most likely he held up his hands and opened his tunic to reveal his side.
Jesus Christ will be the only one in eternity to have such marks.
John beholds in heaven in Rev 5:6: .... a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Even in heaven it is evident that Jesus Christ bears the marks of his wounds.
Marks of this world on the bodies of believers will have been erased when believers get their new bodies but the marks of the crucifixion will be with Jesus Christ forever.
He has a material body with the marks of the wounds he received on the cross and yet he has a body that can pass though doors or walls.
He wanted them to fully know that he was the same one who had died on the cross, the same one whom they had walked with these past three years.
Notice that after Jesus said Peace be unto you he then showed them the marks of his wounds.
This was not only done to establish his identity but it was to show them that the basis of this peace was his death on the cross.
By his death enmity with God had been removed, God has been satisfied, and reconciliation has been effected.
Without his death he could not say Peace be unto you.
Five bleeding wounds he bears, received on Calvary They pour effectual prayers, they strongly plead for me, Forgive him, Oh, forgive they cry Don't let that ransomed sinner die. |