he sepulchre found to be empty. (1-10) Christ appears to
Mary. (11-18) He appears to the disciples. (19-25) The unbelief
of Thomas. (26-29) Conclusion. (30,31)
Verses 1-10: If Christ gave his life a ransom, and had not taken it
again, it would not have appeared that his giving it was
accepted as satisfaction. It was a great trial to Mary, that the
body was gone. Weak believers often make that the matter of
complaint, which is really just ground of hope, and matter of
joy. It is well when those more honoured than others with the
privileges of disciples, are more active than others in the duty
of disciples; more willing to take pains, and run hazards, in a
good work. We must do our best, and neither envy those who can
do better, nor despise those who do as well as they can, though
they come behind. The disciple whom Jesus loved in a special
manner, and who therefore in a special manner loved Jesus, was
foremost. The love of Christ will make us to abound in every
duty more than any thing else. He that was behind was Peter, who
had denied Christ. A sense of guilt hinders us in the service of
God. As yet the disciples knew not the Scripture; they Christ
must rise again from the dead.
Verses 11-18: We are likely to seek and find, when we seek with
affection, and seek in tears. But many believers complain of the
clouds and darkness they are under, which are methods of grace
for humbling their souls, mortifying their sins, and endearing
Christ to them. A sight of angels and their smiles, will not
suffice, without a sight of Jesus, and God's smiles in him. None
know, but those who have tasted it, the sorrows of a deserted
soul, which has had comfortable evidences of the love of God in
Christ, and hopes of heaven, but has now lost them, and walks in
darkness; such a wounded spirit who can bear? Christ, in
manifesting himself to those that seek him, often outdoes their
expectations. See how Mary's heart was in earnest to find Jesus.
Christ's way of making himself known to his people is by his
word; his word applied to their souls, speaking to them in
particular. It might be read, Is it my Master? See with what
pleasure those who love Jesus speak of his authority over them.
He forbids her to expect that his bodily presence look further,
than the present state of things. Observe the relation to God,
from union with Christ. We, partaking of a Divine nature,
Christ's Father is our Father; and he, partaking of the human
nature, our God is his God. Christ's ascension into heaven,
there to plead for us, is likewise an unspeakable comfort. Let
them not think this earth is to be their home and rest; their
eye and aim, and earnest desires, must be upon another world,
and this ever upon their hearts, I ascend, therefore I must seek
the things which are above. And let those who know the word of
Christ, endeavour that others should get good from their
knowledge.
Verses 19-25: This was the first day of the week, and this day is
afterwards often mentioned by the sacred writers; for it was
evidently set apart as the Christian sabbath, in remembrance of
Christ's resurrection. The disciples had shut the doors for fear
of the Jews; and when they had no such expectation, Jesus
himself came and stood in the midst of them, having
miraculously, though silently, opened the doors. It is a comfort
to Christ's disciples, when their assemblies can only be held in
private, that no doors can shut out Christ's presence. When He
manifests his love to believers by the comforts of his Spirit,
he assures them that because he lives, they shall live also. A
sight of Christ will gladden the heart of a disciple at any
time; and the more we see of Jesus, the more we shall rejoice.
He said, Receive ye the Holy Ghost, thus showing that their
spiritual life, as well as all their ability for their work,
would be derived from him, and depended upon him. Every word of
Christ which is received in the heart by faith, comes
accompanied by this Divine breathing; and without this there is
neither light nor life. Nothing is seen, known, discerned, or
felt of God, but through this. After this, Christ directed the
apostles to declare the only method by which sin would be
forgiven. This power did not exist at all in the apostles as a
power to give judgment, but only as a power to declare the
character of those whom God would accept or reject in the day of
judgment. They have clearly laid down the marks whereby a child
of God may be discerned and be distinguished from a false
professor; and according to what they have declared shall every
case be decided in the day of judgment. When we assemble in
Christ's name, especially on his holy day, he will meet with us,
and speak peace to us. The disciples of Christ should endeavour
to build up one another in their most holy faith, both by
repeating what they have heard to those that were absent, and by
making known what they have experienced. Thomas limited the Holy
One of Israel, when he would be convinced by his own method or
not at all. He might justly have been left in his unbelief,
after rejecting such abundant proofs. The fears and sorrows of
the disciples are often lengthened, to punish their negligence.
Verses 26-29: That one day in seven should be religiously observed, was
an appointment from the beginning. And that, in the kingdom of
the Messiah, the first day of the week should be that solemn
day, was pointed out, in that Christ on that day once and again
met his disciples in a religious assembly. The religious
observance of that day has come down to us through every age of
the church. There is not an unbelieving word in our tongues, nor
thought in our minds, but it is known to the Lord Jesus; and he
was pleased to accommodate himself even to Thomas, rather than
leave him in his unbelief. We ought thus to bear with the weak,
(Ro 15:1,2). This warning is given to all. If we are faithless,
we are Christless and graceless, hopeless and joyless. Thomas
was ashamed of his unbelief, and cried out, My Lord and my God.
He spoke with affection, as one that took hold of Christ with
all his might; "My Lord and my God." Sound and sincere
believers, though slow and weak, shall be graciously accepted of
the Lord Jesus. It is the duty of those who read and hear the
gospel, to believe, to embrace the doctrine of Christ, and that
record concerning him, (1Jo 5:11).
Verse 30,31: There were other signs and proofs of our Lord's
resurrection, but these were committed to writing, that all
might believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Saviour
of sinners, and the Son of God; that, by this faith, they might
obtain eternal life, by his mercy, truth, and power. May we
believe that Jesus is the Christ, and believing may we have life
through his name.
he sepulchre found to be empty. (1-10) Christ appears to
Mary. (11-18) He appears to the disciples. (19-25) The unbelief
of Thomas. (26-29) Conclusion. (30,31)