Easter Peace

And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, 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 shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.

This is a well known and frequently studied history; and well may it be so, for it is full of deep import and contains a fund of instruction. Let us now principally direct our attention to the pains taken by our Lord to remove the doubts and fears of the disciples, and to enable them to contemplate the day of his resurrection with joy and gladness. We shall also say a few words upon the subject of Easter peace; consider all that is signified by the word peace; then that which hinders many Christians from enjoying it; and, lastly, in what manner a path is prepared for its entrance into our hearts.

I. The great day of the resurrection is now drawing to a close; it is already night; and we find ourselves in a room surrounded by the disciples, flere Easter peace is breathed, but only by a few: the two disciples from Emmaus enjoy it; Magdalene also, and Simon. The others are wavering between fear and hope, and many are still sorrowful, for they cannot help regarding the story of their Master’s resurrection as a fable and a delusion. They believe that Jesus is dead, and that he has only been carried away by his enemies; thus their hearts find no consolation, for the assurances of their Master, from which alone they could have derived it, seem to have been put to shame. “Now we have no shepherd,” say they among themselves, “no protector, no guide, no representative!” And they are like to sink to the earth with grief and sorrow, when they think, “We are weighed down by our sins; we are surrounded by a thousand adversaries; the grave lies before us, beyond that the judgment-seat, and hell is in the distance!” They strive against those terrible thoughts, but without effect, and in such thoughts there can be no peace. Anguish possesses their souls, and the little bark of joy is fai away, tossed on the ocean of doubt.

The disciples are sitting together in a close circle, eagerly conversing, and in rapt attention, listening to the oft-repeated story of the brethren from Emmaus. The door of the house, as well as that of the chamber, is locked, for they are afraid of being interrupted by the Jews. But what is this? Suddenly they hear a voice in the midst of them, “Peace be unto you!” Pale with terror, they spring from their seate, and — what do they behold? Who is he that stands in the midst of them? They believe they see a spirit, — an, apparition from another world, and a cold tremor creeps over them. We, however, behold our beloved Lord and Saviour, for it is indeed he, and no other. The object for which he comes has been unfolded in his salutation — he comes to bring peace to his children! This had been his employment even early on the morning of that day, and it remained so as long as he tarried upon earth. But what manner of peace is this of which his little flock are to become partakers? It is indeed a wonderful, an inexhaustible, and a glorious peace! Not a peace such as the world can give and take away; but such a peace as Jesus himself enjoys, — his own peculiar Easter peace; for his own words are, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you!” Invaluable treasure! Let us now contemplate it more nearly.

It is a deep and unutterable peace. Look at the Saviour, as he stands before us after his resurrection; how serene and joyful he appears, and what a halo of sabbath stillness surrounds him! No where can we perceive a trace of care or sorrow; the days of weeping are past; the complaint is no longer heard, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death!” And the cry, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” having broken forth once from his lips, was never to be uttered again. All oppression and heaviness have been removed from his soul, and darkness and woe have disappeared. His heart resembles a calm and tranquil sea, in which the constellations of heaven are reflected; his mind is serene, like the bright morning of a festal day; and his spirit is a holy temple, filled with harmony and love. His bosom is a fountain of peace, and it is this peace which he brings to his sheep, this Easter joy which he now offers them.

But is our Saviour entitled to give away this peace? Is it well grounded and does it rest upon foundations of adamant 1 While on the cross, when he bore our curse, and the weight of our sins, he did not possess this peace; there he suffered and languished in torment: but now he hangs no longer on the accursed tree; the Father has raised him from the dead, glorified and exalted him; pronouncing with a voice louder than thunder, “There is no more guilt resting upon him — he is spotless, he is righteous, and worthy of a throne of Glory!” I now hear the wise of the earth saying, “that it is clear the Saviour must enjoy peace, but that it is impossible for a sinner to do so,since, where it exist, there must also be that from which the peace of Christ takes its rise, namely, a consciousness of having performed the will of the Eternal Father, and merited his love.” In so far they are right, and speak wisely; but not the less do I cry unto them, “Ye fools, and slow of heart, will ye never comprehend?” It is necessary for us to feel a twofold consciousness, and we must regard ourselves as being, like Christ, justified and well pleasing in the sight of God. But are ye astonished at my words? and are ye inclined to reply, “No! it would be sinful and wrong were we to think of ourselves so highly!” Alas! my brethren, it is your blind and foolish reason which will not permit you to enjoy peace; for I maintain that that man can never possess it, who is unable to say, from heartfelt conviction, “Jehovah loves me!” Nor can any one believe that the God of holiness loves him, until his conscience bears testimony, “Thou art justified, thou wast obedient, and thou hast performed thy obligations!” The Bible, however, expressly assures us, that the peace which was enjoyed by Jesus risen from the dead, may flow into our souls also. It is written, that “in Christ we are made the righteousness of God;” in other words, giving us the assurance, that as the Father loves Christ, he loves us also who are the members of Christ. Thus we are called to the enjoyment of the peace of Christ, deep and perfect, such as the Prince of Peace himself enjoys, and resting upon the same foundations; for in him we perfected the work of the Father, and through him merited Jehovah’s approbation. Do ye now comprehend why our Saviour accosted his disciples with the salutation, “Peace be unto you!” — why he stretched out his hands, and desired them to look upon his wounds 1 If was virtually saying, “Well may ye enjoy peace, since I have fulfilled the demands of eternal justice for you!” And does not Paul also say, “Who is he that con-i demneth? 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.” Yes, it is Christ, who, in dying for us, bore our curse, — in whom we have risen from the dead, — are justified in the sight of God, — and pronounced worthy of his parental love! The peace of our risen Lord is glorious and triumphant; it sustains every proof and every trial; and all that assails it must infallibly be dashed to pieces. It withstands the law, for Jesus supports it; it overcomes the grave, for “Grave, where is thy victory?” Even death does not shake it; for Christ dies no more, but bears the keys of hell and of death: and it looks unmoved upon the judgment-seat, for we are blameless through the merits of the Son of God. Can Satan harm it? No; Jesus has overpowered and vanquished him. Is it moved by the fiery terrors of the last day? No; for Christ is the Judge of the quick and dead. “Yes,” ye reply,” all this may be true; but I have yet to die; — I have yet to meet the powers of darkness; — I stand yet upon the field of combat. How then can that peace

which Jesus enjoyed dwell in my heart at present V Thou fool, listen to the words of the apostles, who were still alive when they said, “No, we are dead!” Were they terrified on approaching the night of the grave? Far from it; they gloried in having risen along with Christ. Did they wish first to vanquish Satan? That thought was far from their minds; for they beheld him lying bruised and overcome under their feet. Did they suppose that they must not rejoice until they had attained their goal?

Not so; they beheld themselves there already; for they knew that He was powerful and true who had called them to his inheritance. They were as peaceful and joyful as though they sat already upon a throne of blissfulness in heaven, and beheld the world and the devil — death and the grave — lying far beneath their feet; for they knew that if not to-day, they should at least sit there to-morrow, as surely as their glorified Representative had done before them. Thus they enjoyed even then the perfect Easter peace of Jesus, and rejoiced in his glorious resurrection.

II. Could our Saviour have left behind any thing more desirable than the cup of his Easter peace, out of which he himself had taken the first draught, and which he in his salutation, “Peace be unto you!” bequeathed to his chosen for an eternal possession? This cup of joy is even to this day passed from one to another in our christian communities; but how few there are who taste its contents! The greater part of Christians are sad and sorrowful; and there are only a small number that partake of this Easter peace; the reason of this we shall find in our history.

The disciples at Jerusalem might have partaken of it from the moment when their risen Lord appeared in the midst of them, and uttered his gentle salutation; but alas! instead of doing so, pale and trembling they crowded together, and cried in the utmost fear and anguish — “A spirit! a spirit!” They could not comprehend how their crucified Master could be restored to life; and why could they not comprehend? Because, partly from their own fault the light was wanting which could alone make clear the eternal counsel of the Almighty; and in spite of all the previous instructions of their Master, the aim of his mission to this earth still remained in their eyes a mystery. They knew not yet for what purpose Christ had offered obedience, nor why he had suffered and been put to death. Had they known how to look into those secrets, the re-appearance of Jesus would not have surprised, far less have terrified them; they would have regarded his resurrection as a thing which must necessarily follow his death; and it would have been to them a fountain of peace and joy; while far from trembling at his entrance they would have saluted him with exclamations of delight. Even in the present day, my brethren, the cause why so few believers partake of that Easter peace which is so freely offered to them, may be traced to their want of gospel-light preventing them taking clear views of the subject. Most true it is that they love the Lord Jesus, and believe in him, but they know not yet all that they possess in him, for it is a knowledge that generally comes but slowly and by degrees. They can give no reason for the hope that is in them; their Christianity wants a sure foundation; they have too little Bible knowledge to support them; Jehovah remains concealed from them in his holy temple; and they are still groping in darkness with regard to the weightiest and most important articles of our faith — the representation of Christ, our justification by him, and union with him. Alas! it is a thing unknown, how God views them as perfect in Christ, pure, spotless, and worthy of his love: and thus it is impossible for their hearts to enjoy Easter peace, since the spring and fountain of it is concealed from them.

After the Saviour has, with infinite pains, brought the disciples to the state when they begin to believe that he has actually returned to life, and that it is he who now stands in the midst of them; the peace which is even now about to enter their hearts turns back, for it finds no resting-place. In a most unexpected manner the spark of faith is all but extinguished; for, as our history informs us, they do not believe from excess of joy. “No,” think they, “if the shining form before us be actually Christ, he must have risen from the dead to be restored to us, and we should then be too happy! Such rapture and delight would indeed be overpowering; for it would be a heaven upon earth!” Thoughts such as these prove that they have already some idea of Easter happiness; and because they feel that if Jesus lived it would be bliss unutterable, they come to the conclusion that it cannot be He whom they now behold: it is, indeed, touching and heart-moving to see how they cannot believe for wonder and joy. Answer me, my friends, are not such strange conclusions but too common in the church of Christ 1 Have you not observed that when we praise and exalt those possessions which have been assured to us in the testament, of our great Pledge, and when we speak with joy of those privileges and rights which are ours through Christ, many of the brethren reply, “No, that were too much for poor sinners! Were this really the case, the Christian might go through life rejoicing, having nothing to fear, nothing to care for, and nothing to annoy!” This is their opinion; and instead of searching the word of truth to discover if such be truly the case, they remain inert, believing not for astonishment, and thus rendering it impossible for the Easter peace to enter their hearts. Ye fools, do ye not know that it is the glory of the Son of God to have attained for his people that which is perfect, full, and incomparable 1 It is your narrow and contracted hearts which have prevented you viewing this in its proper light; and the very fulness and completeness of the gifts which we receive, may well manifest to us that it is not a man, but the King of kings, who has adopted and made us his own.

There is another impediment which prevents Easter peace flowing into our souls; and this is our own self-righteousness. We fancy it to be connected with a certain progress in holiness, as if by fulfilling certain moral obligations we could prove ourselves qualified for its enjoyment before receiving it; and certainly there is a species of preparation required, but it consists in a deep and lively feeling of our own sinfulness and misery, nothing else being necessary. The disciples in our history were misled by similar false ideas, which retarded their progress towards a calm and serene Easter life. They thought,” If Christ were indeed risen from the dead, he would not have come into the midst of us with the salutation of peace upon his lips, after we had so shamefully denied and forsaken him. It might have been otherwise had we remained

faithful to him, then” Alas! they contemplate

Easter peace as a thing to be purchased by their own good works.” What does it cost? 0 ye fools! The peace of Easter is indeed above all price; Jesus, however, offers it to you as the gift of grace; it is not as saints, but as sinners, that he invites you to partake; and all that desire it have a right to it, and may drink deep draughts of its heavenly wine.

III. Thus you see that the barriers are many and various which close the heart against Easter joy. Let me now try to remove them, and prepare a path for its entrance into your bosoms. Let me in the first place entreat you to consider how anxious our Saviour appears to be that the peace which he has so dearly purchased should not remain unenjoyed, but on the contrary flow like a stream over our souls, and transport us with rapture up to heaven. Scarcely has he shaken off the icy chains of death, than we behold him on the road to dry the tears of the hopeless and afflicted, and to breathe his peace into the hearts of the mourners. This is henceforward his sole occupation, and his only care. “Peace be unto you!” is every where his first salutation; and all his actions have the establishment of this peace for their aim. See how diligently he is employed in our text, striving to convince his alarmed disciples that it is indeed he who now stands in the midst of them; and, by means of this conviction, to lead into their hearts the stream of Easter peace. He first addresses them by the simple question, “Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts arise in your hearts?” Then he shows them his hands an.d his side, to convince them that it is he himself who stands in the midst of them. “Handle me and see,” he cries, “for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have!” And when they still would not believe, he asked them, “Have ye here any meat?” And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it and did eat before them, in order that their doubts might cease, and that they might be enabled to give themselves up entirely to joy. It is the wish of our Saviour also, that we likewise whom he purchased with his blood should enjoy his peace; we must therefore no longer ask, “Dare we feel this peace ?*’ For our Lord himself has said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you!” And the words of the Apostle Paul are, “Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again 1 say, Rejoice!” Observe also, my friends, who the persons are to whom the Saviour offers his Easter peace. Are they the saints? Are they the people who have fought a good fight, who have finished their course, and who have kept the faith 1 Certainly, if we view them in Christ, they have done so; but in their own persons they are faithless, unbelieving, and their virtues have suffered shipwreck; when their love came to be tried it could not stand the proof, for they had nothing to bring forward but lamentations for their weakness, their sinfulness, and their errors. Did this, however, prevent our Lord offering them the whole fruit of his sufferings and of his death? Did they hear a single word of reproach from his mouth 1 Did he make any conditions with them, saying, “As soon as ye have performed this or that, the same peace shall enliven you which I now enjoy!” No, it was far otherwise; not a syllable of the kind was heard; not the faintest allusion to the performance of the law; he advanced to meet them with the utmost condescension and love; and greeted them in the simple words, “Peace be unto you!”

IV. We must never forget the manner in which Jesus established and confirmed this peace in the hearts of his disciples. He carried them directly to the Scriptures; for we read in verse 44th, “And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, whilst I was with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Yes, my brethren, Jesus carries his disciples to the word. And now I call on you to go and do likewise. What is the origin of the peace which most of our Christians enjoy? Alas! its roots are in the sand; it takes its rise from mere feeling and emotion; and therefore it resembles the grass, which no sooner springs up than it withers and dies. As long as they have some one to enliven their faith, as long as they have devotional excitement, they are happy and at peace; but when they no longer receive those external impulses, or when habit has deadened their effect, then the heaven of their souls is overcast with clouds, and storms begin to arise. Their peace has its foundation in the waters, and there is no firm ground under their feet.

There is a foolish misunderstanding also among our Christians; they confound peace and idleness, regarding the sabbath-like rest which we preach, as a flat contradiction to that holy activity which ought to manifest itself in our lives, and on this account they reject with mistrust our invitation to the enjoyment of the sweetest fruit which grows upon the gospel-tree. Strange delusion! Have they not read in Philippians, “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus?” And in Galatians, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace?” Do they not remember also how our Lord himself has in a manner joined together peace and activity? for immediately after saluting the disciples in the words, “Peace be unto you!” he adds, “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” Indeed we cannot mistake what our Lord evidently intended to show us, that the latter injunction is the consequence of the reception of his peace. After he had breathed it into the hearts of the disciples, he gave them the commission to impart it to others in all parts of the world. It is like the honey on Jonathan’s rod, enlightening the eyes; or like the bread which Elias received in the desert, making the knees strong. What gave Paul his power to overcome the world, and his Unwearied zeal for the service and honour of his Master? What inspired Stephen and James with courage to sacrifice their lives in the cause of the gospel? Was it not the peace of Christ which reigned in their hearts? While enjoying it no command was too severe for them to execute; no bulwark too strong for them to assail; no wall too high for them to climb; no sacrifice too great for them to make. Their whole energy and activity dedicated to the service of God was but the streamlet proceeding from the divine fountain of peace in their souls. “We see,” says Luther, “that those who have a cheerful and contented spirit, and whose hearts are pervaded by joy and peace, have also strength and activity. Nothing is too heavy for them to bear, and their joy flows like a refreshing stream through their whole body, enlivening and quickening it.” Solomon says also, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

Remember this, my brethren, and throw down that barrier of prejudice and blindness which has been built so foolishly to oppose the progress of the river of Easter peace. Rejoice because even on this side of Jordan a Horeb stands inviting your ascent, and do not let yourselves doubt that God has appointed you to commence here below that great Sabbath which awaits you above. Banish from your souls all false terror of Sinai; cast from you a diffidence for which there is no cause; and in child-like simplicity pluck the fruit which grew for you, and take with thankfulness that cup of peace presented to you by the Prince of Easter!