John 20:19-23 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week… Note here — 1. The reality of Christ's sufferings, death, and resurrection. 2. The proof and attestation of His love. 3. The assurance that He is not ashamed of His humiliation and sufferings on our behalf. 4. The pledge of our resurrection. 5. The affecting circumstances of the history. I. THE EVENT ITSELF was memorable. Never was such known in the history of man. Jesus came back in fulfilment of His own prophecy, as an evidence of the acceptance of His atonement, as the conqueror of sin and death. II. THE TIME was memorable. The first day of the week, and the sun must not go down on that day before the Sun of Righteousness shines on the spirits of His dejected people. Thus our Lord puts peculiar honour on the day, and authorized the observance of it by His own example which has all the force of law. But the evening is specified. Why not the morning? Because they did not seek Him. The approach of Christ is often at our evening time — when the sun of hope and happiness is low and our comforters are few; when we least expect the aids of His providence, and are ready to say, "Is His mercy clean gone for ever?" So in the time of His disciples' despair He appeared. III. THE PLACE was memorable. Probably the scene of the Last Supper; to them like Bethel to Jacob, or the fig-tree to Nathanael. We are all affected by localities in which great blessings or deliverances have been experienced. IV. THEIR PRIVILEGES were memorable. 1. Personal revelation of Christ. 2. Peace. 3. Spiritual power. (T. H. Day.) 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. |
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