“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you” (John 20:1919Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (John 20:19)).
In a day when there seems to be so much weakness and discouragement in assemblies, this verse contains great comfort for the two or three gathered together to His name. Christ’s assembly, and its local expression, is ever a target of Satan’s unrelenting attacks and religious men’s ridicule. Yet, in the midst of this spiritual conflict, the Holy Spirit has provided this precious verse that He might “comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work” (2 Thess. 2:1717Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. (2 Thessalonians 2:17)).
Let’s briefly consider, for our solace, a few of the sparkling gems it contains, relative to the assembly.
First: “The same day at evening.” The event recorded here happened on the first day of the week—the Lord’s Day, the day which saw our Saviour rise triumphant over death and the grave, after finishing—once and forever—the work of redemption. The glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from among the dead is the foundation of all blessing. In Christ’s death, God has been forever satisfied about sin. In Christ’s resurrection, God has given proof of His eternal satisfaction (Eph. 1:2020Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:20)).
“He is not here: for He is risen” (Matt. 28:66He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:6)). How glorious are these blessed words of Scripture! The grave could not hold Him, corruption could not touch Him, and death could not overpower Him. Now He who died is “risen again, who is even at the right hand of God” (Rom. 8:3434Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34)). Thus believers by faith look up and see “Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor” (Heb. 2:99But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Hebrews 2:9)).
Second: “Where the disciples were assembled.” How wonderful that today there is still a place where His own can, as gathered by the Spirit, enjoy collective fellowship with Himself. The Lord gave principles regarding that place when He sent His disciples to find the “large upper room furnished” (Luke 22:1212And he shall show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. (Luke 22:12)), where they were to make ready the passover feast. There is room enough for every redeemed child of God to gather around Himself, in the place of His appointment. It is a large upper room and all that is needed to be able to enjoy His blessed presence has been furnished.
Third: “The doors were shut.” The room where the disciples assembled had doors that could be shut to keep out the adversary. The disciples had good reason to fear the Jews, for those inveterate enemies of the Lord Jesus and His followers would stop at nothing to stamp out the truth, which they could not deny. Today the assembly still needs strong doors—doors closed against false teaching and wicked doctrine, which the religious world seeks to bring into the very midst of Christ’s assembly.
The assembly must be on constant guard against evil men who, as in Jude’s day, had crept in unawares into its very bosom. By their invidious presence, wicked ways and false doctrines, they corrupt the pure, divine truth—the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Fourth: “Came Jesus.” What wonderful words of comfort and assurance! The disciples who gathered in that room with the doors shut had the joy of being in the presence of a Person. They weren’t gathered to a set of religious rules, a particular manner of life, or with some deeply spiritual group. They weren’t gathered on the basis of their goodness, intelligence or faithfulness. They were there because they loved the Lord Jesus Christ. And into their presence He came—in Person.
Remember, dear fellow-believer, He has said, “There am I” (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)), and it is to this blessed Person we gather. His promised, personal presence leaves no room for dogmas, sects, man-made standards of conduct or any other such thing. When believers are so gathered to Himself, by the Holy Spirit, He is collectively in the midst—even as He was bodily in the midst of the disciples that Lord’s Day evening.
Fifth: “In the midst.” This is where Jehovah wanted to be with His beloved earthly people after He had delivered them out of Egypt. Moses received divine directions to build the tabernacle—a place where the Lord might dwell in holiness in the midst.
Is it not sweet to think that, in like manner, we gather—not to a place—but around a divine Person. He is there in the midst as He has promised, equally accessible to all who are gathered there with Him. In a coming day in glory, our blessed Saviour will sing “in the midst of the assembly” (Heb. 2:1212Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. (Hebrews 2:12) JND). Should it not be our joy to sing to Him now in the midst of the two or three?
Sixth: “And saith unto them.” Can there be any more precious sound (now heard by faith) to the ear of a redeemed soul than the voice of the Lord Jesus? Nothing can compare with the words of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. It is the sheep who hear the Shepherd’s voice and follow Him (John 10:2727My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27)). No other voice will they follow. All others are strange voices and they know to flee from such. How precious for an individual sheep of Christ to follow, trust and rest in the utterances of His blessed voice. And, too, how vitally important that the assembly receive direction from and submit to no other voice than that of the Chief Shepherd!
Seventh: “Peace be unto you.” What precious words to hear our blessed Saviour utter. Isaiah, by divine inspiration, twice tells us that “there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” But the Prince of Peace has come and, standing in the breach, is our peace, has made our peace (through the blood of His cross—Col. 1:2020And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20)), and has preached peace to those otherwise who could never possess and enjoy peace with God (Eph. 220And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:20)).
The foundation on which the Lord Jesus came to them with the message of peace is found in John 20:2020And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. (John 20:20): “When He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.” We too will be glad when, gathered in His blessed presence, we see Him by faith and realize, in our measure, what it cost Him to redeem us to Himself.
There from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flowed mingled down;
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
(Little Flock Hymnbook, #283)
Ed.