Chapter 84—“Peace Be Unto You”
This chapter is based on
Luke 24:33-48
;
John 20:19-29
.
On reaching Jerusalem the two disciples enter at the eastern gate,
which is open at night on festal occasions. The houses are dark and
silent, but the travelers make their way through the narrow streets by
the light of the rising moon. They go to the upper chamber where
Jesus spent the hours of the last evening before His death. Here they
know that their brethren are to be found. Late as it is, they know
that the disciples will not sleep till they learn for a certainty what has
become of the body of their Lord. They find the door of the chamber
securely barred. They knock for admission, but no answer comes. All
is still. Then they give their names. The door is carefully unbarred,
they enter, and Another, unseen, enters with them. Then the door is
again fastened, to keep out spies.
The travelers find all in surprised excitement. The voices of those
in the room break out into thanksgiving and praise, saying, “The Lord
is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.” Then the two travelers,
panting with the haste with which they have made their journey, tell
the wondrous story of how Jesus has appeared to them. They have just
ended, and some are saying that they cannot believe it, for it is too good
to be true, when behold, another Person stands before them. Every eye
is fastened upon the stranger. No one has knocked for entrance. No
[803]
footstep has been heard. The disciples are startled, and wonder what
it means. Then they hear a voice which is no other than the voice of
their Master. Clear and distinct the words fall from His lips, “Peace be
unto you.”
“But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had
seen a spirit. And He said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why
do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that
it is I Myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones,
as ye see Me have. And when He had thus spoken, He showed them
His hands and His feet.”
686