LET US SEEK TO BE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST NOT ONLY IN WORD, BUT LUKE xxiv. 16-25. 16 Jesus himself drew-near, and-went-with them. But their eyes were-holden ExpаTOVVTO 17 that they-should-not-know him. And he-said unto them, What-manner-of communications are these that ye-have avтißaλλeтe one-to-another, as-ye-walk, and are sad? 18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art-thou only a-stranger in Jerusalem, and hast-not-known the-things which-are-come-to-pass there 19 in these days? And he-said unto-them, What-things? And they said unto-him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet avηρ πропτns mighty in deed and 20 word before God and all the people: and how the chief-priests and our rulers delivered 21 him to be-condemned to-death, and have-crucified him. But we trusted noμe that it-had-been he which should have-redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to-day is the 22 third day since these-things were-done. Yea, and certain women also of our-company 23 made-us-astonished, which-were early at the sepulchre; and when-they-found not his body, they-came, saying, that-they-had-also-seen a-vision of-angels, which said that24 he-was-alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found 25 it even-so as the women had-said: but him they-saw not. Then he said unto them, O SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Lu. xxiv. 16. their eyes were holden, &c.-The same seems to have been the case of Mary, Jno. xx. 14, § 93, p. 491; and afterwards of the disciples at the sea of Galilee, xxi. 4, § 97, p. 506. 17. What manner, &c.-see also ver. 19-so the elder addressed John, when he meant to communicate the information that apostle required, Rev. vii. 13-The two disciples were in a reasoning mood, and Jesus conformed himself to their state of mind-so Paul, 1 Co. ix. 22, I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.' 18. Cleopas, &c.-Mary the wife of Cleopas, who was sister to Mary the mother of Jesus, appears to have been one of the first at the sepulchre; she is called mother of James, Mk. xvi. 1; Lu. xxiv. 10, § 93, p. 484, ..9-see Jno. xix. 25, § 91, p. 465. 19. a prophet mighty in deed and word-as if tracing his likeness to Moses, who was mighty in words and in deeds,' Ac. vii. 22-and like to whom was the prophet that Israel was to hear in all things, De. xviii. 18, .9-The like testimony gave Peter before the Jews, Ac. ii. 22, A man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:" -iii. 22, .3-and as opening the gospel to the Gentiles, x. 38-43. before God and all the people, &c.-ch. ii. 52, § 6, p. 42,In favour with God and man.' 20. how the chief priests, &c.- The whole multitude of them,' &c., ch. xxiii. 1, § 89, p. 435-comp. xxii. 66, § ib., p. 434-see the testimony of Paul, Ac. xiii. 27,.8. 21. redeemed Israel, &c.-Israel had been utterly carried away into captivity, 2 Ki. xvii. 23-and lost, as predicted by Moses, De. xxviii. 48-but their redemption had been much the subject of scripture promise, Is. xliii. 1-7; xlv. 17-25; liv. 4-8; Je. xxiii. 5-8; xxx. 8; Eze. xi. 15-20; xxxvii. 21, .2; Ho. ii. 14-23; xiv.; Am. ix. 14, .5; Mi. vii. 15-20, &c. The redemption of Israel was anticipated in the song of Zacharias, at the birth of the Baptist, Lu. i. 68, § 3, p. 16-It was implied in the promise given by Christ to the twelve, who are appointed to 'sit Israel,' Mt. xix. 28, § 75, p. 228.-and see § 51, p. 67. upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of the third day-and on which day it had been predicted he should rise again-see on Mt. xxvii. 63, § 92, p. 477. 22. certain women, &c.-see ver. 10, § 93, p. 489. early at the sepulchre Mt. xxviii. 1, &c., [Mk. xvi. 1, &c., § 93, p. 484; Lu. xxiv. 1, &c., p. 488; Jno. xx. 1, &c., § ib., p. 489. 24. certain of them, &c.-Peter and John, Jno. xx. 3, § 93, p. 490. him they saw not-It was after the departure of Peter and John from the sepulchre that Jesus appeared unto Mary, Jno. xx. 10-7, ib. NOTES. [Lu. xxiv. 17. What manner of communications, c. He had apparently been walking with them some little time before this was said. ἀντιβάλλων Xoyous implies to dispute with some earnestness; but there is no blame implied in the words.] [19. Which was a prophet. Avùp πpopýrns, a man prophet, a genuine prophet; but this has been considered as a Hebraism: "for, in Ex. ii. 14, a man prince is simply a prince; and in 1 Sa. xxxi. 3, men archers mean no more than archers." But my own opinion is, that this word is often used to deepen the signification; so in the above quotations: "Who made thee a (man) prince (i.e., a mighty sovereign) and a judge over us?" Ex. ii. 14. And "the battle went 30re against Saul, and the (men) archers (i. e., the stout, or well-aiming archers) hit him," 1 Sa. xxxi. 3. So avip poprns here signifies he was a genuine prophet, nothing like those false ones by whom the people have been so often deceived; and he has proved the divinity of his mission by his heavenly 21. We trusted. hamitouer. 'We hoped.' Beside all this, to-day is the third day, &c. ""He is now in the third day since," &c. This is the usage of later Greek; and the words are spoken not without a reference, in the mind of the speaker, to his promise of rising on the third day.'-Ibid. ་ 22. Yea, &c. àλλà xal, but moreover;' equivalent to certainly, thus much has happened,. . . . PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. Lu. xxiv. 17, .8. It is good to hear before we answer. Of this, Jesus gave us an example, not only when a child, but here also after his resurrection. [In things indifferent we should adapt our conversation and manners to the persons with whom we associate-not needlessly repelling those we are desirous of attracting to the truth.] 19 ver. Let us be grateful for the abundant evidence, that God hath indeed been true to the promise made unto our fathers; that he has of our brethren, raised up unto us a prophet mighty in deed and word.'-And see margin. [19, 20 ver. The reward which men meet with from men may be very different from that which is to be received from Him who judgeth righteously.] [21 ver. The death of Jesus the righteous One, and the redemption of Israel, are both inscrutable mysteries, until their connection is seen in Christ. Let memorable..... These disciples set out probably soon after the fifth hour of the day, when the ordinary mid-day repast of the Jews would be over, after the return of Salome and also of Peter, and consequently aware of what had happened to them; but before the return of Mary Magdalene, and therefore ignorant as 494] NEVER LET US DESPOND. [VOL. II. IN DEED AND IN TRUTH, IN THE SIGHT OF BOTH GOD AND MAN. WANT OF UNDERSTANDING IS VERY APT TO ACCOMPANY A TENDENCY TO UNBELIEF. LUKE XXIV. 26-.8. 26 fools avonto, and slow of heart to-believe all that the prophets have-spoken: ought not 27 Christ Tov XpioTov to-have-suffered these-things, and to-enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he-expounded dinpunvevev unto-them in all the 28 scriptures the-things concerning himself. And they-drew-nigh unto the village, whither SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Lu. xxiv 25. O fools, &c.-The word avontos means | 'thoughtless,' or without understanding;' is translated unwise,' Rom. i. 14; 'foolish,' Ga. iii. 1; 1 Ti. vi. 9; Tit. iii. 3-not the same word as in Mt. v. 22, § 19, p. 125. the prophets, &c.-Jesus does not here refer to his own distinct predictions respecting his death and resurrection, as Mk. viii. 31, § 50, p. 40-He gives us an example of how we should deal with those who are in doubt respecting his Messiahship, but who yet are willing to inquire into the subject, which appears to have been the case with these disciples-see on ver. 15, 21, supra, pp. 493, ..4. 26. Christ-Or, the Christ, Ps. ii. 2- David, an eminent type of the Anointed, had first to suffer many things before he entered into the possession of the kingdom, 2 Sa. xxii. 1-51. suffered.... glory- The sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow, 1 Pe. i. 11, were the two subjects upon which our Lord discoursed immediately after promising to Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven,' Mt. xvi. 19, § 50, p. 39. 27. Moses The five books of Moses, the first of which, Genesis, contains, in the first promise of the Messiah, the truth which Jesus illustrated to the two disciples-Ge. iii. 15, It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.'- Besides Adam, the first federal head of mankind, see the typical persons, Abel, the first, suffered death, iv. 8; Joseph, the last, was betrayed by his own brethren into the hands of strangers; their intention with regard to him having been the same as that of Cain, xxxvii. 20-.8; Ac. vii. 9-14-In Exodus the case of Moses, as being rejected at the first by the people he was sent to deliver out of Egyptian bondage, shews forth what He who was made like unto Moses was to experience, ver. 20-44-In Leviticus the sacrifices prefiguring the one great sacrifice of Christ had first to be offered, all, Heb. ix. 7-14; and his blessing the people, as before the high priest could enter into the holiest of thence coming forth in glorious array, is given in Nu. vi. 22-7-comp. He. ix. 24-8-In Deuteronomy we have the remarkable prophecy respecting Christ as being the Prophet like unto Moses, xviii. 15-.8As the Rock, xxxii., &c. the prophets-as in the seven larger books following the five books of Moses, and in the twelve minor prophets, Is. liii.; Mi. v. 1-3-see on Lu. xxiv. 44, § 98, p. 512. the scriptures-As in Ps. ii., xxii., &c. things concerning himself- Not only prophecies, but types and symbols, as in the case of the brazen serpent-The passages, we may suppose, peculiarly dwelt upon would be, Ge. iii. 15; xlix. 10; De. xviii. 15; Nu. xxi. 8, 9; Is. ix. 6, 7; liii.; Da. ix. 25-.7; Ps. xvi. ; xxii.; cx.; Mal. iv. 2-6.'-Bloomf. NOTES. [Lu. xxiv. 25. O fools, and slow of heart to believe. AvonTos, without understanding.' 'Slow of heart,' &c. Bpadis TV Kapdla, sluggish in disposition to believe.' Inconsiderate men, justly termed such, because they had not properly attended to the description given of the Messiah by the prophets, nor to his teaching and miracles, as proofs that HE alone was the person they described. Not understanding the designs and works of God.] To believe all that the prophets, &c. They, like some professing Christians of the present day, saw in the prophets only what suited their carnal affections; they looked for the glory of Immanuel's kingdom without his personal suffering; while modern partiality rests in his suffering, and denies his personal glory, when he shall reign from sea... to sea, and from the river... to the ends of the earth,' a King in righteousness; the Father having put all things under him. 26. Ought not Christ to have suffered? &c. oixì ἔδει παθεῖν τον Χριστόν; * was not necessary that Christ should suffer?'- A. Clarke. Did ye not know that it was decreed (de) that the Messiah should attain to honour and glory through much tribulation?'-Rosenm., Kuinoel. God's justice must be satisfied, and the death of his Son be the atonement for the sin of the world; after which Christ, the anointed One, must sit on his Father's throne until his foes are made his footstool. 27. He expounded. That is, 'thoroughly interpreted.' [All the scriptures. I take the rà repi davrov to mean something very different from mere prophetical passages. The whole scriptures are a testimony to Him; the whole history of the chosen people, with its types, and its laws, and its prophecies, is a shewing forth of Him; and it was here the whole mãoai ai ypapais that He laid out before them. This general leading into the meaning of the whole, as a whole, fulfilled in Him, would be much more opportune to the place and time occupied than a direct exposition of selected passages.'-Alford.] The things concerning himself. Observe the testimony which this verse gives to the Divine authority, and the christian interpretation of the Old Testament scriptures: so that the denial of the references to Christ's death and glory in the Old Testament is henceforth nothing less than a denial of his own teaching. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. us not say, we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel:' but that, as the meritorious cause of this redemption is his suffering unto death, so assuredly must all that God hath promised be accomplished.] Lu. xxiv. 25, .6. See margin. [Let us prize the high privilege we possess, in being given the keys of the kingdom of heaven, whereby Christ himself opened up the scriptures to his dis ciples after his resurrection; giving us an example of the manner in which we should edify and comfort one another. Christ gives no encouragement to priestly domination; but as a stranger, and as simply possessing the authority of truth, he himself gives us an example, not only of the manner in which we should seek to communicate to others the knowledge of salvation, but also how we should receive instruction by whomsoever ministered. We should rejoice to have the scriptures expounded to us even by a wayfaring man of whom we know nothing-who has no other recommendation that we know of, except the possession of that knowledge of which we stand in need.] yet of any personal reappearance of Christ:... this distance, which would thus be travelled in the heat of the day, and more especially for the lengthened conversation with our Lord which ensued upon it, we cannot allow less than three or four hours' time. They would consequently arrive at Emmaus about the ninth hour of the day; when it might truly be said that it was towards evening, and the day had begun to decline; though it could not be so late as sunset. Nor would this be much earlier than the ordinary time of the afternoon's repast. At the time of this repast, when it arrived, our Lord was made known to them; and they returned soon afterwards to Jerusalem.'--Ibid., p. 314. VOL. II.] EVER LET US BE WILLING TO LEARN. [495 CHRIST IS THE SUBSTANCE OF ALL THAT THE PROPHETS HAVE SPOKEN. LUKE Xxiv. 29-32. 29 they-went: and he made-as-though he-would-have-gone further. But they-constrained Tapeßiaσavтo him, saying, Abide with us: for it-is toward evening, and the day is-far30 spent KEKALKEV. And he-went-in to-tarry with them. And it-came-to-pass, as he sat-at31 meat with them, he-took bread, and-blessed it, and brake, and-gave to-them. And their eyes were-opened, and they-knew him; and he vanished-out-of their-sight apartos 32 EYEVETO. And they-said one-to-another, Did-'not our heart-burn within us, while hetalked with-us by the way, and while he-opened to-us the scriptures? SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. Lu. xxiv. 28. made as though, &c.-so when walking upon the sea, Mk. vi. 48, § 41, p. 319, he would have passed by them.' So he would have gone from Jacob, saying, Ge. xxxii. 26, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.' 29. constrained him-so when the angels came to Lot, in Sodom, Ge. xix. 3, he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him,'-Lydia constrained Paul and Silas, Ac. xvi. 15, saying, 'If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there.'-He. xiii. 2, ' Be not for- xiv. 19, § 40, p. 313; Mk. viii. 7, § 46, p. 27. NOTES. Lu. xxiv. 28. He made as though, &c. This was no dissimulation; he only behaved as common rules of civility would have obliged any stranger to do, that he might not seem to thrust himself upon their com pany. 29. The day is far spent. Kéxλɩkev ʼn hμépa, 'the day has declined." 30. Took bread. λáoas. This was contrary to the custom of guests, that office belonging to the host; except when the host, out of respect, chose to resign it to the guest.'-Bloomf. [We must not suppose any reference to, much less any celebration of, the sacrament of the Lord's supper. Neither of these disciples were present at its institution; and certainly it had never been celebrated since. With this simple consideration will fall to the ground all that Romanists have built on this incident, even to making it a defence of ministration in one kind only.'-Alford.] 31. Their eyes were opened, &c. His own will and permission to be seen by them opened their eyes to know him.'-Ibid. That is, they began to know him. The expression is used by the Hebrews, not only of those whose eyes are physically, but morally closed; of those who at length perceive what they before failed to discern.See Ge. iii. 5-7; xxi. 19; 2 Ki. vi. 17-20. [He vanished, &c. '&pavros, not aurois, which would imply his body to have remained invisible to them; but an' aurav, implying, besides the supernatural disappearance, a real objective removal from them.'Alford.] 32. Burn. The word xaiso@ai, 'to burn,' is often used of vehement commotion and affection of the mind, especially joy.' He talked with us. ἐλάλει ἡμῖν is more than ovveλáλei hμïv. He spoke lo us,' not merely 'with us.' PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. Lu. xxiv. 28, .9. The follower of Christ should not force himself upon the hospitality of others - but rather leave room for the manifestation of good-will. It becomes the Christian to use hospitality, not only when it is asked, but also sometimes when it requires to be pressed upon the recipient. [32 ver. May we often have occasion to congratulate each other upon the joyful seasons with which we have been favoured, while the scriptures were being unfolded to our view, revealing Christ in his sufferings and in his glory.] LET ISRAEL REJOICE IN HIM THAT MADE HIM: LET THE CHILDREN OF ZION BE JOYFUL IN THEIR KING.-Psa. cxlix. 2. 496] MY MOUTH SHALL SPEAK THE PRAISE OF THE LORD: AND LET ALL FLESH BLESS HIS HOLY NAME FOR EVER AND EVER.-Psa. cxlv. 21. GEOGRAPHICAL NOTICE. EMMAUS. 'EMMAUS ('Euμaobs, hot baths), a village, sixty stadia, or seven and a half miles from Jerusalem, noted for our Lord's interview with two disciples on the day of his resurrection, Lu. xxiv. 13. The same place is mentioned by Josephus (De Bell. Jud. vii. 6.6), and placed at the same distance from Jerusalem, in stating that Vespasian left eight hundred soldiers in Judæa, to whom he gave the village of Emmaus. The site is not now known; for Dr. Robinson has shewn that El-Kubeibeh, which is usually indicated, is too distant from Jerusalem; and that the position of Emmaus, and all correct tradition respecting it, were lost before the time of Eusebius and Jerome, since these writers make it identical with the city of Emmaus, or Nicopolis, which lies not far from one hundred and sixty stadia from Jerusalem. He adds: "There never was the slightest ground for connecting El-Kubeibeh in any way with Emmaus; nor is there any trace of its having been so connected before the fourteenth century."-(Bib. Res. iii. 65, .6.) The other Emmaus, also called Nicopolis, just mentioned, is identified with Lusiun, about midway between Jerusalem and Ramleh. There was another Emmaus, near Tiberias, on the lake of the same name, where the hot baths which gave name to it are still frequented, and have a temperature of one hundred and thirty degrees Fahrenheit. Here the name of Emmaus is merely preserved in that of Hammam, which the Arabs give to hot baths, whether natural or artificial. Neither of these places is named in scripture.'-Kitto's Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature, Vol. I. p. 626. LET US MAKE NO UNNECESSARY DELAY IN COMMUNICATING GOOD NEWS TO OUR FELLOW-DISCIPLES. SECTION 95.-(G. 8—11.)—[Lesson 98, continued.]-THE TWO DISCIPLES, UPON Psa. xxxii. 11. INTRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS. Mk. xvi. 13. Lu. xxiv. 33, .4. The two disciples, to whom Jesus appeared in the way to Emmaus, immediately return to Jerusalem, and find the eleven, and other disciples assembled, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.' xxiv. 35. The two disciples tell how Jesus conversed with them by the way, and was made known to them in breaking of bread.' xxiv. 36. Jno. xx. 19. On the evening of the same day, the doors being shut for fear of the Jews, Jesus stands in the midst of his assembled disciples, and salutes them. feet. xxiv. 37-40. xx. 20. Some are terrified, supposing they have seen a spirit; but Jesus bids them handle him, and see that it is he himself. He shews them his side, his hands, and his - xxiv. 41. - xx. 20. The disciples rejoice, yet can scarcely be persuaded that what they see is a reality. - xxiv. 42, .3. Jesus affords them additional evidence of his corporeal presence, by eating before them. - xx. 21. Jesus again salutes them, and declares them to be sent by him, as he is the Sent of the Father. 13 A -xx. 24, .5. Thomas having been absent when the foregoing took place, he declares that, except he put his finger into the print of the nails, and his hand into the pierced side of the crucified Jesus, he will not believe." - xvi. 14. xx. 26, .7. week after Jesus' resurrection, Thomas with other disciples being together, Jesus again appears in their midst, salutes them as before, and offers Thomas the evidence he had declared was necessary to convince him of the truth of the resurrection. - xx. 28. Thomas exclaims, 'My Lord and my God.' No. 95.-(G. 8.)-The two disciples, upon their return to Jerusalem, are informed that Jesus has appeared to Simon Peter: which is his third appearance.* and-told it unto-the residue: 35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he-was-known of-them in breaking of-bread. 1 Cor. xv. 5. he-was-seen of-Cephas, 'neither believed-they them. (Ver. 14, p. 500.) NOTE. Mk. xvi. 13. Neither believed they them. They were that of St. Peter, Lu. xxiv. 34, supra. But they moved a little by the testimony of these, added to did not yet fully believe it. PRACTICAL REFLECTION. Lu. xxiv. 35. Those who delight to refresh the souls | disciples by what they heard and saw upon their of others will be amply rewarded, as were the two return to Jerusalem.-See ver. 34-.6. Between the time of the disappearance at Emmaus, and the time of the return to Jerusalem, Lu. xxiv. 34, confirmed by 1 Co. xv. 5, authorizes us to suppose an appearance to Peter; the third of its kind this day. At the time of that assembly of the apostles, which is spoken of at ver. 33, this appearance was clearly a VOL. II.] BE GLAD IN THE LORD,-Psa. xxxii. 11. REJOICE, YE RIGHTEOUS AND SHOUT FOR JOY, ALL YE THAT ARE UPRIGHT IN HEART. WE ARE SOMETIMES THE MOST AFRAID WHEN WE HAVE THE LEAST OCCASION TO BE so. (G. 9.)-Jesus appears the same evening to the eleven, in the absence of Thomas which is This fourth appearance in all-but the first to the eleven. Jesus himself stood in the-midst of-them, 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, NOTES. Jno. xx. 19. The same day at evening. That is, coming from Him who had, before his death, said, the day of his resurrection. 'Peace I leave with you,'-See Jno. xiv. 27, § 87, p. 385. 37. A spirit. vua is a ghost or spectre, an appearance of the dead to the living; not exactly a párraoua (see SCRIP. ILLUS.), which might have been any appearance of a supernatural kind. 38. Thoughts. diaλoyiopol. Not merely thoughts,' but questionings, reasonings. [When the doors were shut. As a beautiful economy similar to that which we observe in nature, may be discerned in our Lord's working of miracles, by which no more power is employed than is necessary to accomplish the purpose in view, we may suppose, with the best commentators (as Calvin, Grotius, Whitby, and Campbell), that our Lord caused the doors to preternaturally open of themselves; as the angel, Ac. v. 19, 23, "opened the prison doors" in which the apostles were confined. See also xii. 10. Thus, as it is observed by Calvin, "the circumstance of the doors being barred was purposely introduced, as containing in it an illustrious specimen of the Divine power inherent in our exalted Saviour; who, we may suppose, by thus entering not without a miracle, intended to afford his disciples a striking proof of his Divinity." This seems alluded to at ver. 30.'-Bloomf.] Lu. xxiv. 36. Peace be unto you. sięývn suiv. This form of salutation was, indeed, in common use; but in the present case it was peculiarly suitable, as addressed to them in their present state of alarm, and [39. Behold my hands, &c. There seems to be some doubt whether the reference to his hands and feet was on account of the marks of the nails, to prove body, and to prove his corporiety. Both views seem his identity, or as being the uncovered parts of his supported by the text, and I think both were united. Comp. ver. 40, and Jno. xx. 20.... He declares to us the truth, that those appearances to which he was have not flesh and bones.-Alford.] now likened by the disciples, and spirits in general, 41. Believed not for joy. ἀπιστούντων αὐτῶν ἀπὸ Tsx. This is sometimes the case on the occurrence of events very felicitous, which happen suddenly and unexpectedly. We think the news too good to be believed, and fancy we are dreaming.-See on Jno. xvi. 20-.2, § 87, p. 395. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. Jno. xx. 19. How different now is the relative situation of Jews and Christians, from what it was when the latter were assembled together in one apartment, 'the doors were shut.... for fear of the Jews'! It is worthy of remark, that this seems to have been the first assembly of Christians convened on the Lord's day, and in that assembly Jesus was present. Since that time the day has been observed in the church as the christian sabbath, particularly to commemorate the resurrection of Christ. Lu. xxiv. 36. When assembled with our fellow-disciples, let us think of Christ standing in the midst of us, and saying, 'Peace be unto you;' and so in the spirit of peace, let us speak and act together. 37 ver. See margin. 38 ver. Let us inquire into the cause of our disquietude, and we may often find, that by what we fear to look upon, the Lord is giving us new evidence of his presence, and of his power to bless. [39 ver. Jesus desires that his disciples should believe upon scriptural and rational evidence: to the two going to Emmaus, he proved from scripture that Christ should rise from the dead, and then he made himself known; and when these had returned to Jerusalem, and communicated what he had said and done to them, he again appeared, and fully confirmed the truth of their testimony: in both cases he gave them opportunity of forming scriptural expectations respecting his resurrection before he made himself known to them as risen from the dead.] 40 ver; Jno. xx. 20. See margin. [Lu. xxiv. 41. Like the presence of their risen Master among the disciples, the goodness of God in the gos pel may sometimes appear to us almost too good to and condescension are worthy of God, although we be true, but we ought to consider that such kindness may be altogether unworthy of his grace.] recent event; and that assembly, it is equally evident from ver. 41-.3, was about the time of the usual supper hour, which could not long have been passed when Jesus appeared among them. 498] LET US THANK GOD, AND TAKE COURAGE. [VOL. II. LET US NEVER FORGET THAT THE HANDS, AND FEET, AND SIDE, OF OUR REDEEMER WERE PIERCED FOR US. |