0851. The Basis of Peace
The Basis of Peace
"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.
And when He had so said, He shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord" (Joh_20:19-20).
The scene before us is most impressive. Christ had been crucified, buried and raised from the dead. He now stood in the midst of the disciples and said: "Peace unto you." Then He showed them His hands and His side, and they were made exceeding glad.
Of course the "Peace unto you" was a gracious greeting; and He showed them His hands and side to assure them that He was really raised from the dead, and they were glad because their crucified Lord stood before them. But there is far more to this.
Christ said peace, and then showed them His hands and feet as the basis on which peace was made. Then were the disciples glad because their sins were gone and by the Blood of the Cross they had access to the Father. Whether the disciples at the time realized all of this or not, our deductions are true to the Word.
1. Christ is our peace. "The wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men" (Rom_1:18). Every unsaved man is living under condemnation (see Joh_3:18). "There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked" (Isa_48:22). The whole world stands condemned, with every mouth shut. What shall the sinner do? There is one Christ Jesus and He is called "The Lord of Peace" (2Th_3:16). He stands near. Of Him the Apostle Paul said: "For He is our peace" (Eph_2:14). Christ Jesus stood and cried: "Come unto Me, * * and I will give you rest" (Mat_11:28). Christ is our peace.
2. Christ is our peace by virtue of the nail prints and the pierced side. "Ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the Blood of Christ. For He is our peace." Jew and Gentile alike come to Christ for peace. In Christ Jew and Gentile are made one, and have access to the Father. But to both this is all brought about by the Cross of Christ. This is the basis on which Christ came and preached peace (see Eph_2:13-17).
3. Let us have peace. The disciples were glad. And why should we not be glad? If Christ has slain the enmity on the Cross, and opened the way of peace; if there is now no more condemnation; if God hath reconciled us unto Himself by Jesus Christ, why should we not rejoice?
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace" (Rom_3:1). Why not shout for joy? Let those of us who are saved go the world over preaching peace by Christ Jesus.
How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace (see Rom_10:13). This is the message we bring to the unsaved. There is peace from every burden of sin at the Cross.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR