TEXT: John 20:19-23
READING: Revelation 5:1-14
SUBJ: The appearance of our Lord to the gathered disciples on the evening of the Resurrection and the enduring revelation and message to them and to us.
AIM: That we might be assured and encouraged by His words, His revelation of Himself to them and the empowered commission they received.
INTR: Much had already occurred before this appearance to those gathered behind closed doors and were as yet unsure even in this light of the reports they had received.
1. We have marveled at the experience of the women and His appearance to Mary Magdalene in particular. All had faithfully reported to these men as they had been directed.
2. Two of the disciples (we are not told who they were) had talked with Him on the road to Emmaus and had a glowing report but they still had no idea of what was going to happen next.
3. John’s report on this meeting is most revealing both to them and to us in that the physical resurrection was confirmed, assurance of their peace was assured, and a ministry was assigned to them.
THESIS: In this passage we have the Gospel preached in that the man Christ Jesus appears bearing mortal wounds but alive forevermore with the promise of a continuing work on earth.
I. The gracious matter of His greeting (v. 19)
1. We do well to note that the timing of the Lord is precise and not without purpose and so:
1) He points out that it is the evening of that day – the day of His resurrection and
2) That it was the first day of the week. While we are not Sabbatarian we note the significance of the first day of the week and the newness and the forward look attached to it.
2. We would further note that they were concerned for themselves in view of all that had transpired and with the report of the missing body they were unsure of what the Jews might do to them.
3. His words were those of the reassuring Shepherd who would calm the flock during the most frightening of situations. (Some of what follows is from J. C. Ryle)
1) Twice in this passage He says, “Peace be unto you…” in a way that only He could
2) This is that peace which is to rule in the life of a believer, and which would be essential to them in what was to follow.
3) It was the message that heralded His birth and now is assured by His resurrection
4) It was peace and not blame as they might have expected given their recent behavior.
5) It was Peace between God and man that was declared by Him and through Him by His blood and righteousness!
6) It was Peace between man and man as grace and forgiveness came to be manifested by His presence with us.
7) It is peace in opposition to the oppression practiced by the world and false religions
4. It was Jesus who stood in the midst and spoke to them!
II. The precious evidence that He presented (vv. 20-21)
1. The manner of His appearing to them has long been a matter of conjecture and will not be resolved now. It is enough that they were suddenly made aware of His presence and that it was a bodily presence.
2. It seems that they were astonished at His appearance and He sensed their concern:
1) He showed them His hands and His side – the tokens of redemption
2) We particularly note the wounded side as being a mortal wound and yet there He was in the midst providing that which would be the essence of the Gospel they would preach.
3) Other accounts indicate that He called particular attention to the fact that He was flesh and blood and invited their touch and even asked for food.
3. Then, as if to emphasize what had been accomplished by His sacrifice says to them again – “Peace be unto you.
1) He had promised them this peace when they had no idea how: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27.
2) And see also: But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5.
4. Preserved here that we might ever be directed to the rule of peace and the price paid for it!
III. The marvelous commission set He set forth (vv. 21-23)
1. They now understand they are being sent:
1) While the Father sent Him to accomplish redemption it entailed preaching the Gospel
2) And while they had no ability to redeem, they would preach the same Gospel of Christ and His Kingdom.
2. There are some difficult things to understand here in that they take on a mystical tone and are evidently to be understood in reference to the Holy Spirit.
1) In that He breathed on them we are reminded of the fact that God breathed life into Adam and He became a living soul – there is here not immediate effect noted.
2) It would seem however that He was promising them Spiritual presence and authority:
i. They had been regenerated, and this was not the issue but
ii. The empowering of the gifts of the Spirit whereby they would preach the word was to come.
3. In the matter of sins being remitted and retained there is no record of them or any other dealing in the matter of absolution of sin.
1) It would seem that both with the immediate apostolic authority and the true Gospel being preached that sins and sinfulness would be exposed and confirmed by what it is.
2) It is further to be understood that the message stands as well to bear witness to the fact that divine forgiveness has occurred.
