Old Testament Reading: Jeremiah 31:1–14

“‘At that time’, declares the Lord, ‘I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they shall be my people.’ Thus says the Lord: ‘The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and shall enjoy the fruit. For there shall be a day when watchmen will call in the hill country of Ephraim: ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘O Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’ Behold, I will bring them from the north country and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the pregnant woman and she who is in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.’ Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’ For the Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more. Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:1–14, ESV)

New Testament Reading: John 20:24-29

“Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’ Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” (John 20:24–29, ESV)

Introduction

Friends, we are rapidly approaching the end of our study of the Gospel of John. I’m a little sad about that. I’ve really enjoyed this book and there is a part of me that wishes we could linger in it longer. We will probably only be here for two or three more weeks.

Do you remember the Leon Morris quote that I shared with you in the introductory sermon to this series? I’m sure it’s fresh on your minds! Morris, in the introduction to his commentary on John noted that “John’s Gospel [is like] a pool in which a child may wade and an elephant can swim. It is both simple and profound. It is for the veriest beginner in the faith and for the mature Christian. Its appeal is immediate and never failing.” (Morris, 3) That has proven true, I think. John’s Gospel is encouraging to those young in Christ, and those mature, both in it’s simplicity and depth.

There is much that can be said about chapters 20 and 21 of John’s Gospel. It is here that we are introduced to the risen Lord. We see him in a state of glory. He is alive, but not in the same way that he was alive before. He, through his obedient life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection has earned a higher form of life than you and I experience. In fact, he has earned a higher form of life than Adam and Eve enjoyed in the garden paradise of God. They enjoyed a perfect life, but theirs was mutable. Sin was a possibility. Death threatened. Not so with Christ who is the second Adam. He rose, not to a fallen state like ours. He rose, not to a perfect but mutable state like pre-fall Adam. No, he rose from the grave to a state of glory.  What the first Adam was offered but forfeited, the second Adam has earned.

We should pay careful attention to what we see here. This forty day period where the risen Lord appeared to his disciples in the flesh of his resurrection was utterly unique in this history of the world. Steven would see the risen Lord after his ascension to the Father, but by way of heavenly vision. “He said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’” (Acts 7:56, ESV) Paul also saw the risen Lord after the ascension, but it too was a bit different from the resurrection appearances contained within this forty day period. “As [Paul, who was then called Saul] went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’” (Acts 9:3–6, ESV) These resemble heavenly visions. They differ a bit from the appearances of the risen Lord which preceded his ascension to the Father. For forty days the risen Lord presented himself alive in the flesh to his disciples before ascending to the right hand of God.

I’ve labored to demonstrate the significance of these appearances.

Christ appeared to his his disciples to prove that he was, in fact, alive.

He also appeared to show what kind of life he had risen to. It was a physical existence that he enjoyed – one that corresponded somehow to his previous life. But it was a glorified existence – one that far surpassed the natural order of things in regard to glory. Remember how Paul explains all of this in 1 Corinthians 15 with the illustration of a seed and the plant that comes from it. The seed represents the natural man, the plant represents the glorified man. The seed and the plant correspond to one another – they are not altogether different – they are made up of the same stuff. But the plant far surpasses the seed in regard to glory. So it is with the relationship between Christ’s natural body and his resurrection body. So it will be for those who are united to Christ by faith. This is one thing that Jesus sought to demonstrate to his disciples in that forty day period as he walked among them in his resurrection – he showed what kind of life he had been raised to.

And remember that he also appeared to them in order to encourage them, teach them, and commission them so that they would be well prepared for the journey ahead. Christ rose from the grave and would ascend, but his disciples would continue in this fallen world. They were to continue his work. They needed instruction. Christ provided it.

The Risen Christ Walks In The Midst Of His People

Today I would like to step back from these detailed observations concerning the significance of Christ’s post-resurrection and pre-ascension appearances to make a general observation.

Notice this simple fact: The risen Christ walks in the midst of his people. He meets with them. He communes with them. He instructs and encourages them. He is present with them in this world. That is the general truth which binds all of these post resurrection appearance together. The glorified Christ walks in the midst of his people.

You say, well that must have been nice for them! Those original disciples enjoyed three or so years with Christ in his earthly ministry, and they also enjoyed forty days with him in his resurrection. Nice for them!

Brothers and sisters, the point I am making is that Christ walked in the midst of his disciples in his resurrection, and he walks in the midst of us too! That forty day period was unique in that Christ appeared in the flesh before his ascension – we do not expect him to appear to us in the flesh (except for at the consummation) – but it was also prototypical. It was during those forty days that Christ demonstrated to his disciples that he would indeed be with them though he was glorified. He would still common with them. He would still be in the midst of them even though a new era had begun. The post resurrection appearance of Christ had the effect of ensuring his followers that he would indeed go with them, and remain with them, throughout their wilderness wanderings. Of course after the ascension, he would be with them, not in the flesh, but by the Spirit.

This was not the first time in the history of redemption that God offered special support and assurance to his people concerning his continued presences with them as a new era or dispensation was being ushered in.

Remember how God accomplished redemption for the people of Israel from Egypt. He brought them out with “great power and a mighty hand” (Ex. 32:11). They were freed from Egypt by the ten plagues and by passing through the Red Sea. God accomplished a kind of redemption of them. But they were fearful of going it alone. Moses spoke to God, saying, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15, ESV) It was in response to this request that God said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” (Exodus 33:19, ESV) God offered special support and assurance to Moses, and to the people of Israel through him, by showing Moses his glory and goodness. We might also mention the pillar of fire and the glory cloud, both of which were a manifestation of the glory of God and a kind of guarantee that the presence of God was with the people of God.

The appearances of Christ in his glory serve the same purpose. Christ had accomplished redemption by his death, burial, and resurrection, and then he appeared to disciples, manifesting his glory to them for forty days to assuring them that his presence would be with them as they wandered in this world as pilgrims and sojourners.

Brothers and sisters, the risen Christ walks in the midst of his people.

He is present with us by the agency of the Holy Spirit whom he has sent. Remember Jesus’ words:

“‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.’ Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’” (John 14:15–23, ESV)

He is particularly present with his people as they gather together in local churches.

Remember the opening vision in the book of Revelation where John (The same John that wrote this Gospel)

“…turned to see the voice that was speaking to [him], and on turning… saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When [he] saw him, [he] fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on [him], saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” (Revelation 1:12–20, ESV)

This vision communicates the very thing that has already been stated – Christ walks in the midst of his people, and particularly in the midst of his churches, not in the flesh as he did in the days prior to the ascension, but by the agency of the Spirit whom he has sent.

Brothers and sisters, this ought to encourage you greatly. Christ has not left you alone in this world. And his appearance to the disciples in his resurrection body is an assurance of these things.

The Risen Christ Sustains The Faith Of His People

In particular I want you to notice how Christ drew near to those disciples of his who were struggling. Notice that he pursued “doubting Thomas”, and, as we will see, he pursued “denying Peter”. The important thing to see is that Jesus does not abandon those who belong to him. Though they my stumble, the risen Christ purses them, the end result being that he loses none of those given to him by the Father (see John 17:12). See how the risen Christ sustains the faith of his people.

Notice that everything comes to focus on Thomas in this passage. His fellow disciples had testified to him concerning the bodily resurrection of Christ. They had, with one voice, given testimony to the resurrection. Thomas should have believed on the basis of their word. He himself would go on to testify concerning the risen Christ. He would ask others to believe upon Jesus through his testimony, and the word of his fellow Apostles, but he himself did not believe their word. Instead he responded to them saying, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25, ESV) He was skeptical. In all fairness the others did have the advantage of seeing the risen Lord. They too were skeptical and confused.

But do you see that Thomas belonged to Christ? He was one of Jesus’ chosen one’s. He was one of those given to him by the Father. And so although Thomas was indeed skeptical, Christ pursued him and provided him with all that he needed to believe, and to go on believing.

“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” (John 20:26, ESV) This was a repeat of what had happened on the previous Sunday. The disciples were gathered together again. Again they were meeting with the doors closed and locked, presumably for fear of the Jews. And again Christ appeared to them, urging them to be at peace. The difference is that Thomas was with them this time.

So Jesus turned to Thomas, reached out his hands to him, and said, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” (John 20:27, ESV)

Thomas has said, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” And what did Christ do except present Thomas with the marks in his hands and in his side.

Thank God that it is he who sustains us in the faith and not we who sustain ourselves.

That is not to say that we have no responsibility in the matter. We do indeed have obligations. The scriptures compel us to abide in Christ, to persevere in the means of grace that God has prescribed for us – the fellowship, the sacraments, the word of God, and prayer. We are warned to “Take care… lest there be in any of [us] an evil, unbelieving heart, leading [us] to fall away from the living God. But [we are to] exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none…may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:12–13, ESV) Similarly we are warned, “not [to neglect] to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24–25, ESV)

Thomas was indeed negligent in these things. He failed to persevere. He allowed an evil, unbelieving heart to settle in. He neglected the fellowship. For this he was guilty. But do you see this wonderfully encouraging truth, that it is Christ who pursues us? He is the one who sustains the faith of those who belong to him, praise be to God.  Take courage, brothers and sisters, “that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

The Risen Christ Brings Glory To His Name Through His People

Thirdly, and lastly, notice that the risen Christ brings glory to his name through those who belong to him. Thankfully he manages to use us to bring glory to his name despite our weaknesses and our many blunders.

Thomas was doubting, it is true. And it was wrong from him to doubt. He should have persevered in the faith. But do you see how Christ turned this evil into good? For it was from the lips of “doubting Thomas” that Christ received the highest praise. It was from the lips of “doubting Thomas” that we encounter the pinnacle profession of faith. When “doubting Thomas” saw the pierces hands, and the pierced side of Christ, and when he heard his words, “‘Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” (John 20:27–28, ESV) Thomas was the first of Jesus’ disciples to explicitly confess that Jesus was divine – that he was indeed “God”. He confessed that he was both “Lord and God”.

Let’s analyze Thomas’ personality for a moment, and let’s say something positive about him.

He seems to be a straight shooter – a no nonsense kind of guy. We encountered him in John 11:16 were, in response to Jesus’ word that he would go up to see Lazarus, “said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’” (John 11:16, ESV) It was in 14:5 that Thomas responded to Jesus’ words abut knowing the way to where he was going that Thomas said, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:5, ESV) He seems to me to be a straight shooter. I like that. And when it came to the resurrection, it was too much for him to believe.

But our brother came to the right conclusion. He was skeptical at first, but upon seeing the risen Lord he could do nothing except confess that Jesus Christ was his Lord and his God.

His confession plays a very significant role in John’s Gospel. In the introduction we were told about who Jesus was. He was the eternal word of God – the one who was with God in the beginning, indeed the one who was God – who took on flesh ad dwelt among us (John 1:1, 14). John wrote, we are told in 20:31, “that [we[ may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing [we] may have life in his name.” (John 20:31, ESV) And Thomas is the one who confesses these thinking with the greatest clarity as he responded to Jesus, saying “My Lord and my God!”

Notice that Jesus received Thomas’ confession. He did not rebuke him or deny it. If Jesus were not God, then he would have been wrong to accept such high praise. But he was God come in the flesh, therefore he received.

Notice also that Jesus rebuked Thomas slightly, saying, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29, ESV) Thomas should had believed the testimony of his brothers. The day was rapidly approaching where those who would believe upon Christ would have to believe, not because they would see the risen Lord, but through the testimony of the Apostles of Christ. Blessed are those who “have not seen and yet have believed.” That refers to all who have believed ever since the ascension, including you and me.

Thomas was used by God to bring glory to his name. He glorified God through this pinnacle profession. And he would glorify God in the days to come through his faithful witness.

Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, Christ is in the midst of us when we gather.

Thanks be to God that he is the one who sustains us in the faith! Were it not for his gracious intervention we would not come to faith nor would we remain in it. But he has promised to keep those given to him by the Father, the end result being that he looses not one

Let us, therefore, bring glory to his name by giving him the praise he deserves and by testifying concerning his goodness. Some have allowed sins of the past to restrain that. We should repent of our sins, allow the Lord to restore us, and serve him faithfully to the glory of his name.

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 26:1–4

“In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: ‘We have a strong city; he sets up salvation as walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.’” (Isaiah 26:1–4, ESV)

New Testament Reading: John 20:19-23

“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.’” (John 20:19–23, ESV)

Introduction

Brothers and sisters, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lived, he was crucified and buried, and on the third day he rose from the grave. This did not happen in a back alley somewhere. To use Paul’s language from his speech before Agrippa, the resurrection was not “done in a corner.” (Acts 26:26, ESV) No, our Lord rose from the grave and appeared to many over a forty day period of time before ascending to the Father. Paul testified to this in 1 Corinthians 15:3 when he wrote, “…that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom [were] still alive [at the time of his writing], though some [had] fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me”, Paul says. (1 Corinthians 15:3–8, ESV)

Why did Jesus appear to so many?

Well, the most obvious reason was to prove that he was indeed alive. This, to quote Paul again, was of “first importance” (1 Corinthians 15:3). If Christ did not raise from the dead then there is no reason to hope in him – there would be no reason to believe upon him if he was not raised. Jesus appeared to many over a period of forty days to, first of all, prove to them that he was indeed alive.

But was that the only reason? Last Sunday I sought to demonstrate that Christ also labored to show what kind of life he was raised to. It was a bodily resurrection – that is clear. But Christ was raised in glory. The body he had was a spiritual body, or a glorified body (see 1 Corinthians 15). Christ was raised from the dead, not to enjoy life as he had experienced it for the past thirty years or so, but to a higher order of life. In other words, Christ’s resurrection was similar to Lazarus’, but dissimilar in some significant ways. Christ was raised never to die again. He was raised to immortality, glory, and power. This he demonstrated in the forty days between his resurrection and ascension to the Father.

And notice a third reason for his meeting with the disciples in his resurrection. He sought to prepare them for the journey that was before them. Jesus would ascend, but his disciples would remain. And they would remain, not to sit idly awaiting Christ’s return, but to continue his work in the world. They would need boldness for the job. They would need a clearly defined mission. And they would need power to accomplish it. And so Jesus taught his disciples in the forty days between his resurrection and ascension. He instructed them from the scriptures. He encouraged them. He commissioned them. He prepared them for the road ahead. This is what we see going on in the text before us this morning.

Let me say a word about the setting before we get into the heart of the text.

First of all, notice that the disciples are no longer scattered each to his own home, but are now together in one place. We are to imagine at least ten of them. Judas is no longer with them. And we are told in 20:24 that Thomas was missing. If we work to harmonize the other gospels with what is said here in John it seems that Thomas was with the disciples at one point that evening but left in unbelief before Jesus appeared. Bummer for him. He would have certainly benefited from seeing the risen Lord, wouldn’t you agree? He was struggling with doubt, and it appears that he went off to sulk somewhere.

Let this be a lesson to those of you who, when you are struggling, decide to neglect gathering together with the people of God. It’s ironic, isn’t it? What you need is fellowship. What you need is to be ministered to by Christ and his people. And yet you, like doubting Thomas, decide to isolate yourselves from Christ. You say, well Christ can minister to me wherever I’m at!  There is some truth to that. But why would you assume that Christ would bless your disobedience. He warns us not to neglect the fellowship (Hebrews 10:25). Also, Christ is present in a special way when his church is gathered. The church is his body. The church is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The church is where the word is preached. The church is where the Supper is eaten. It is never wise to isolate yourself even when you do not feel like being around people. Had Thomas remained with his brothers his sorrow would have been relieved. But because he was negligent, his sorrow was prolonged for another week.

Well, at least there were 10 gathered, and perhaps more. “Disciples” certainly refers to the inner band of Jesus’ disciples (the Apostles), but it can be used more broadly. I imagine that the women were there along with others who, through they were not a part of the Apostolic band, were in fact disciples, or followers, of Jesus. Matthias, who would later be appointed to replace Judas, was probably also there. When you compare John 20 with Mark 16, Luke 24, and what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15 it leads you to believe that there were more than the ten there. There were eleven if you count Matthias and other disciples too, including the men who had returned from the road to Emmaus, whoever they were.

Secondly, notice how Jesus emphasizes that Jesus appeared to these on “the evening of that day, [which was] the first day of the week.”  The risen Lord met with his disciples on Sunday, which is the first day of the week. I see this as very significant. A pattern is being established here. Look at John 20:26. There we read that, “Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” (John 20:26, ESV) Notice that the disciples were gathered together on the Sunday of the resurrection and Jesus appeared to them. And then they were gathered again “eight days later”. This is referring to the following Sunday according to the Jewish way of counting days. The first Sunday and the second Sunday would be included in the counting so that the phrase “eight days later” refers to the following Sunday. Again, Jesus appeared to his disciples as they were gathered together.

If anyone ever asks you the question, “who changed the Sabbath?” you can tell them that Jesus did. He changed it from Saturday to Sunday by virtue of his resurrection. The Jewish Sabbath – the Saturday, or seventh day, Sabbath – was patterned off of the first creation. It looked forward to the Sabbath rest offered to Adam, which would ultimately be earned by the coming Redeemer. The Christian Sabbath – the Sunday, or first day, Sabbath – is patterned off of the second, or new creation, inaugurated at Christ’s resurrection. It points us back to that decisive event where our redemption was earned by the Redeemer. Brothers and sisters, a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God (see Hebrews 4:9), and the day to observe it is Sunday, which John refers to elsewhere as “the Lord’s Day”. We, like the first disciples, and the early church which was born out of their ministry, ought to gather on the first day of the week expecting Christ to minister to us in a pronounced way as we do.

The last thing to notice about the setting is that the doors to the room where the disciples were meeting were locked. Why? Because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. Their fear is understandable, wouldn’t you agree? It was on Friday that they saw their Lord brutally beaten and killed. Their suspicion was that the Jewish authorities would come for them also in order to snuff out the Jesus movement all together. And so they went to their homes on Friday evening, remained there on Saturday, and on into Sunday morning. The shepherd was struck and the sheep scattered. But then there was the rumor that the tomb was found empty and that some had seen the risen Lord. This was enough to bring them out of hiding to meet together, but it was especially risky.

They were afraid, and so they closed the doors and locked them. That needed to change. Christ did not raise from the dead so that his followers would cower in fear in this world. He rose so that they might have hope. He rose so that they might take courage in the world.

The Will Of Christ For His People Is That They Would Be At Peace

Notice that their fear is the first thing that Christ addressed.

Look at the end of verse 19: “Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” (John 20:19, ESV) Look also at verse 21: “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you…’” (John 20:21, ESV) The will of Christ for his people is that they would be at peace.  The church is to be a community at peace.

While it is true that the church is to enjoy unity, that is not what Jesus is referring to here. It is not “peace” in the sense of unity or lack of conflict that he is addressing in this instance, but “peace” in the sense of inner tranquility, calmness – a heart that is settled and at ease. It is peace as opposed to fear and anxiety that Jesus is offering.

These brothers and sisters were not at peace – they were overwhelmed by fear and worry. When Jesus appeared to them they were cowering in fear. They were hiding. The doors were locked. I’m sure that Jesus could see the fear in their eyes and feel the anxiety in the room. Brothers and sisters, notice that Jesus appeared to these and offered them peace.

And he does the same with you and I today. God’s desire is that his people would enjoy peace in this world. The world gives us plenty of reasons to fear, but Christ has overcome the world.

This has already been emphasized John’s gospel. In 14:27 we heard Jesus tell his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27, ESV) And in 16:33 he says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, ESV)

These words are not only for the Apostles, but for all who believe upon Christ through their word. It is no wonder then that Paul begins his letters to the churches with this greeting: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 1:7, ESV) One of the characteristics of those who have faith in Christ is that they are at peace – not ruled by fear or worry or anxiety.

You say, well that’s great, Pastor! I do have faith in Christ, and yet I struggle greatly with those things. What do you have to say to me?

First of all, notice that peace does not come automatically to Christians. It must be cultivated.

Notice that these original disciples believed in Christ and yet they struggled with fear. You say, well that is because they did not know for sure that Christ had risen! True, but notice what John 20:26 says. “Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”” (John 20:26, ESV) We have here on this second resurrection Sunday a repeat of what happened on the first. The disciples were still cowing in fear, and Jesus is still urging them to be at peace.

 

Secondly, notice that there is good reason for the Christian to enjoy peace in this world.

Here I wish to emphasize that the emotion of peace we enjoy in the heart is based upon something objective. There is a reason for it. The reality of the resurrection is the basis for our peace. Notice that Jesus appeared to his disciples, and not only did he say to them, “Peace be with you.” but he also “showed them his hands and his side.” (John 20:19–20, ESV) He presented to them the proof of his having raised from the dead. This was to be the ground of the peace they would enjoy in him. The resurrection of Christ is the ground of peace because in it we have victory over death itself.

Thirdly, notice that the Spirit of God must help us in our pursuit of peace.

We will return to this topic in a moment, but for now notice that these disciples who were cowering in fear had not yet received the promised Holy Spirit. It was after Pentecost that these disciples of Jesus grew bold. Acts 2 tells us all about the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. It was after that event, which transpired approximately fifty days after the death of Christ, that the disciple of Christ followed Jesus boldly. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23, ESV)

So what is a Christian to do if he or she is lacking peace? First of all, don’t assume that something is wrong with you. By this I mean, don’t assume that all true Christians have peace automatically. No, peace must be cultivated and maintained, even by disciples of Christ. Secondly, set your mind and heart upon the word of God, and especially reflect upon the reality of the resurrection and all of it’s implications. This takes work. It is a battle. “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…” (Ephesians 6:16–17, ESV) And thirdly, brother and sisters, we must pray. We must pray “at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…” (Ephesians 6:18, ESV)

The will of Christ for his people is that they would be at peace.

The Will Of Christ For his People Is That They Would Continue His Work

Notice secondly that the will of Christ for his people is that they would continue his work in the world.

In verse 21 “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’” (John 20:21, ESV) God the Father sent the Son to accomplish redemption, and here the Son sends those given to him by the Father to engage in the work of bringing the redemption he has earned to others.

In verse 23 Jesus says, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” (John 20:23, ESV) The meaning of this is that the church, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone, is tasked with the proclamation of the gospel, and the baptizing and teaching of those who respond to the gospel by faith, in the context of the local church.

This is the task that Christ has given to his people. As the Father sent him, so now he has sent the apostles, and through them, you and I also. Our mission is not the same as Christ’s. He was to accomplish redemption. he was unique as the Messiah. But our task is not disconnected from Christ’s either. We are to continue his work. We are to be involved in the application of the redemption he has earned to sinners. As we are faithful to proclaim the gospel we will have a front row seat to this process where forgiveness of sins is either withheld or extended. In fact, it is the church (here I am thinking of the local church) that is the agent through which forgiveness of sin is either withheld or extended as the gospel is proclaimed and as men and women make decisions for or against Christ.

I am not saying that the church has the power in and of herself to forgive sin. Only Christ does. But Christ has determined to continue his work of redemption in this world through the church. He accomplished redemption, being sent by the Father to do so, and now he is applying redemption to his elect through the church, whom he has sent.

This is John’s version of what we typically call the great commission. Each of the Gospels, along with Acts, contain some account of Jesus’ commission his apostles, and through them, the church that would be build upon their foundation. Listen to each of the accounts and observe the consistency.

Matthew 28:18: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18–20, ESV)

Mark 16:15: “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’” (Mark 16:15–16, ESV)

Luke 24:44: “Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.’” (Luke 24:44–49, ESV)

Acts 1:7: “He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” (Acts 1:7–8, ESV)

Brothers and sisters, we have work to do. When I say “we” I am not referring to you and I as individuals, but to you and I together as the church, the body of Christ. The great commission was not given to individuals. It was given to the church. It is impossible for an individual to fulfill the commission of Christ. No one individual can proclaim the gospel, baptize, teach, and do so to the ends of the earth. But the church can accomplish this – the church consisting of many members, each uniquely gifted to play a part in the accomplishment of this mission. Do you understand this? Christ commissioned the church to continue his work in this world. He did not commission individuals. He did not commission the family. He commissioned the church. He works through individuals and families, of course, but for the purpose of gathering his elect into the church.

This has huge implications for the way we do evangelism. Lord willing, we will be offering a course on evangelism in the fall. What I have just said here will serve as the foundational principles in that course.

The Will Of Christ For His People Is That They Would Be A Community Empowered By The Holy Spirit

Thirdly, and lastly, notice that the will of Christ for his people is that they would be a community empowered by the Holy Spirit.

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:21–22, ESV)

Here is the question. How does this event relate to Pentecost?

In Acts 2:1 Luke tells us that, “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1–4, ESV)

It was on the day of Pentecost that promised Holy Spirit was poured out. This was in fulfillment to Old Testament prophesied like Ezekiel 37 and Joel 2. And this was in fulfillment to the promise of Christ.  For example he said to his disciples, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18, ESV) And “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:25–26, ESV)

Most, if not all, agree that the events of Pentecost fulfilled these Old Testament prophesies and the promises of Christ. But how is John 20:21-22 to be understood?

There are two schools of thought. One is that the Spirit was actually given to the disciples here when Jesus breathed on them. The thought is that this was a mini or pre-pentecost. The other interpretation is that the Spirit was not actually given here, but that Christ is again indicating that the Spirit will be poured out upon those who believe.

I hold to the second view. I think this episode corresponds with what Jesus said to his disciples in Acts 1:4-5. “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” (Acts 1:4–5, ESV)

The important thing to notice is that Jesus, being anointed by the Spirit above measure in his life, raised by the Spirit, and glorified by the Spirit (spiritual body), also has the authority to give the Spirit to those who belong to him. The Spirit is a seal, or guarantee to us. The Spirit is a down payment or firstfruits, a promise of more good things to come. The Spirit empowers the disciples of  Christ to live as the ought to live in this world, to the glory of God. We are to walk by the Spirit.

Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, Christ rose and appeared to his disciples, not only to prove that he was alive, and not only to show what kind of life he had earned, but also to encourage, equip, and commission his disciples for the road ahead. His desire is that we would be at peace, that we would be about his work, and that we would do so by the Spirit, to his glory, honor and praise.