George Hutcheson
20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands, and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord.
The next (and a more clear) evidence of his resurrection, is, by shewing them his pierced hands and side, and the scars and wounds which he yet retained after his resurrection, (though it be needlesse to determine, whether he keep them to all eternity, or not.) Which doth fully confirme, and affect them with much joy. Whence learn, 1. Christ after his resurrection, had still the same body, for substance and essential properties, which he had before his suffering; for, by shewing his hands and his side, as they had been pierced, he makes it evident to them, that it was the same body, and consequently, that it was truely he who appeared now to them. 2. Christ, even in his exaltation, looks upon his sufferings for his people, as his crown and glory; Therefore did he rise again with his pierced hands and side, (as is clear from this, compared with v. 25, 27.) and retained these prints (at least for a time) in his state of exaltation. 3. Christ will not forget how dearly his people (though worthlesse) cost him, that so, he may see the better to his purchase; Therefore also did he retain the print of these wounds (at least for a time) in his begun exaltation. 4. It is the Churches great comfort, not simply that Christ is alive, but that he had been dead, and was now alive, having overcome all their enemies; for, this also may be gathered from his shewing them his hands and side, whereby he would point out unto them, that he was returned unto them a Conquerour over death and all his sufferings. See Rev. 1.8. 5. Whatever sight beleevers get of Christ, yet it is still needful to look upon him as pierced by their sins, that this may season their other exercise with useful tendernesse and sorrow; for, this [further] may be pointed at in his shewing them his hands and side, that he would keep them in minde, even in his exaltation, how he had been pierced for their sakes. 6. Christ is the most joyful sight to Disciples, of any that ever they see; And whatever their condition be, yet a sight of him will make them glad, especially after they have had sad apprehensions about the want of him: for, of this sad company it is said, Then were the Disciples glad when they saw the Lord.
