John 20:19

Followeth unto v. 24. Christs appearing unto all his Disciples, except Thomas, as is clear from v 24. &c. In this Narration we have recorded, the time and way of his appearing and his scope in it. The time of it was that same day on which he arose, and that in the evening, when the disciples were met together, and conferring upon what evidences they had formerly received of his resurrection, as may be gathered from Luke 24.33, 34, 35. with 36 and the manner of his appearing was, that when they are thus closely met, and had shut the doores for fear of the Jewes, he, on a suddain appears in the midst of them. Which is not to be understood, as if he had come in through the doore by penetrating thereof, and yet his body and the doore retaining still their true quantities and dimensions; nor yet as if his body were invisibly every where, and did but become visible when and where he pleased: for Christ doth often argue the truth of his resurrection from his having the properties of a true body, amongst which properties the having of dimensions and extended quantity, and being circumscribed in one place at one time, are not the least considerable, but most essentially requisite to a body; And it expressely said, He came and stood in the midst, and consequently, he was not there before. Beside, it is here marked, that the doores were shut, not to point out his miraculous coming through the doore, but the time when he came, that it was unexpected by them. And it is to be conceived, that he did insensibly, as to them, open the doores, and so came in, and after that shut them, rather then that he came through the doore: For so we finde the Lord hath done in other cases, Acts 5 19. & 12.10. His scope in appearing, is, partly, to confirme them in the faith of the resurrection, v.—19, 20. and partly, to renew and confirme their calling to the Ministry, v. 21, 22, 23. for assuring them of the truth of his resurrection, he giveth two evidences that it was he who appeared to them: whereof the first (in this verse) is his usual salutation and allowance of peace unto them. Whence learn, 1. Christ by his appearing that same day at evening, being the first day of the week, did not only begin to honour and sanctifie that day, by his appearing and presence, which he had appointed for the Christian Sabbath; But doth further teach us, That he is not slack concerning his promise, but his love will come and will not tarry, and he will rather prevent then prorogate his terms: And by this rule are we to correct our thoughts concerning his dealing; for, albeit he had set the tryst after his resurrection, to be in Galilee, Matth. 26.32. and the Angels had repeated the same to the women, Mark. 16.7. yet his love will not stay so long, but he will come unto them the same day at evening. 2. It is the duty of scattered Saints, to gather together in times of straits, and to make use of the fellowship one of another, as conveniently they may; for, now the scattered Disciples were assembled, and conferring one with another, and communicating what light any of them had received, as hath been cleared. See Mal. 3.16. Acts 1.14. 3. It hath been no strange thing in the Church, that Saints have been put to frequent their assemblies with great fear, and have been forced to meet in the dark-night, and with great caution, because of danger from persecutors; for, they were met at evening, and the doores were shut, where the Disciples were assembled for fear of the Jewes. And this may teach us to blesse the Lord for our liberty. 4. The danger and hazard wherein Disciples are, will not hold Christ from their company; And he can come, even when he is little expected, and many impediments are in his way: for, when they are in this case, and when the doores are shut, and they little expect him, Jesus came and stood in the midst, which posture also points at the manner of his presence among his people, as Matth. 18.20. Namely, that he is very near to every one of them, and they all round about him, and that he takes not a weak list, nor hath a remote influence upon their way and society. 5. Peace is Christs company and allowance to his people where he cometh; And as it is he who can command and speak peace, so he alloweth it upon them, whatever his dealing be, or he speak unto them beside; for, by this he evidenced his presence, that he saith unto them, peace be unto you, which was his allowance and legacy before his suffering, Chap. 14.27. And this he alloweth upon them, however he upbraided them at the same time, as it is Mark 16.14. and in opposition also to any terrour they might have, by reason of his so suddain and unexpected appearing among them.