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."
Many things take place in this time when Jesus came to ten of the disciples. We
will see that Thomas was not in this room at the time Jesus first appeared to
the disciples. We will take one at a time to see what Jesus did for His
disciples.
The first thing Jesus did was to speak peace into their hearts. He had told
them on more than one occasion that He would rise from the dead; yet, to see
Him now must have been somewhat of a shock to them. In John chapter 6, we see
the account of Jesus walking on the water. Here is how John describes that
sighting of Jesus as He approached them. "So when they had rowed about
five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and
drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. (20) But he saith
unto them, It is I; be not afraid." (John 6:19-20) In Matthew's
account, we read it in a little more detail. "And when the disciples
saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and
they cried out for fear. (27) But straightway Jesus spake unto
them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." (Matthew
14:26-27) It has been a common occurrence for the disciples to be at the
very least startled and oftentimes fearful when they would see Jesus doing
something out of the normal routine. So, in this first appearance to His
disciples, Jesus speaks to them the words they have heard from Him on many
occasions: "Peace be unto you."
Do you ever wonder about the conversations that Jesus had with His disciples as
they would be traveling or at night when they would sit around a
campfire? I do not want to take liberty with my thoughts, but surely in
their conversations, Jesus spoke to them of Abraham, of Moses, and of David. If
He spoke to them of David, no doubt He reminded them of the courage of David as
he went against the giant. In recounting David's determination to slay Goliath,
Jesus must have reminded them of David taking His lamb from the mouths of the
lion and bear. In doing that, we can be pretty certain that Jesus would have
spoken the 23rd Psalm to them. "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not
want." David surely found peace in knowing the Lord was watching
over Him.
Now we go to John chapter 10 and read these words of Jesus: "I am
the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (John
10:11) When these men could remember the words of Jesus, there had to be
peace in their hearts. That peace can only be given by the Lord Jesus.
That same peace is spoken to you and me this morning. In all the turmoil
and upheaval in the world today, we can find rest and comfort in these words
from our Risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ: "Peace be unto you."
Receive these words into your hearts. Think upon the words and the source
of those words. Find rest to your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by
the blood of Christ. For he is our peace..." (Ephesians 2:13-14)