James L. Thornton

John 20:19. 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." (KJV)

The Two Greatest Days In The World’s History Were,
1. The Day Jesus Bowed His Head,
And Darkness Veiled The Awful Scene Upon Calvary,
Where He Had Become Our Sacrifice,

2. And The Third Day When The White-Robed Angel,
With Countenance Like Lightening,
Rolled Away The Stone From The Tomb,
And Jesus Came Forth.

The Extraordinary Events Of Those Two Days Have Exerted A Controlling Influence Upon The History Of The World Ever Since, And Fixing The Destiny Of Individuals And Nations.

The Most Dismal Night That Ever Cast Its Shadow Upon The Hearts And Hopes Of Men Was, The Last Night The Body Of Jesus Rested In The Grave.

The Brightest Morning That Ever Rose Upon A Darkened And Death Stricken World Was, The Morning That The Two Marys Ran With Joy And Wonder From The Garden Tomb To The Gates Of Jerusalem To Tell The Disciples That The Tomb Was Empty, And The Lord Was Risen.

The Disappointed And Disheartened Disciples Refused To Believe The Excited Women, Then Came Word That Mary Magdalene Had Seen Jesus Alive In The Garden.

Others Had Seen Angels Who Had Confirmed The Resurrection, Yet They Believed It Not.

The Day Which Might Most Properly Have Been Spent In Rejoicing Was One Of Confusion And Perplexity Of Mind, Because The Glorious Event Of The Resurrection Surpassed The Utmost Reach Of Their Faith.

It Will Help Our Heart To Have Faith And Patience If We Observe The Fears And Fluctuations Of Mind Through Which The Disciples Passed Through On The First Day And Night After The Resurrection.

In The Afternoon Of That First Day Two Of Their Number Gave Up Their Inquiry And Started Home, To Quiet Their Excited Minds. (Luke 24:13-43)

As They Walked, With Sad Countenance, And Their Communication, Or Conversation, Was Heavy-hearted, Every Step Was A Struggle.

A Stranger Joins Them, Almost Unnoticed, Silently He Walks With Them.

They Are So Busy With Their Sad Thoughts They Did Not Regard Him.

Finally He Enters Into Their Conversation With Earnestness, Tenderness, And Sympathy. Their Hearts Burned Within Them As He Spoke.

Nothing In His Dress, Or Manner, Or Person Was Different From Ant Other Pilgram Returning Home From Jerusalem After The Passover Feast.

Let Us Listen In On Their Conversation.

Luke 24:17. And he said unto them, "What manner of communications are these that ye have 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 in these days?
19. And he said unto them, "What things?" And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20. And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23. And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25. Then he said unto them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?"
27. And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29.But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

Did They See The Print Of The Nails In The Palms Of His Hands?
Did They Recognize The Tone Of His Voice?
Did They Remember The Manner, The Look?

Luke 24:32. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? (KJV)

He Lives! He Lives! And They Had Been Walking With Him!

But Now, Their Weariness And Discouragement Is Gone,
They Cannot Wait For Morning,
They Must Hurry To Tell The Disciples The Good News.

Luke 24:33. "And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem,.."

The Wild Mountainous Road Seems As A Highway.

The Darkness Of Night Is Dispelled By The Light Within Them.

They Carried In Their The News Of The Greatest Victory Ever Won.

Victory Over Death Hell And The Grave.

They Were Bearers Of The Best Tidings That Human Lips Ever Told,

News Upon Which All Hopes Of Men For Eternity Must Depend.

They Entered At The Eastern Gate And,

Luke 24:33b. "and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,.."

Before They Can Tell The Good News Those Who Were Within The Room Burst Out Together, "Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon." (Luke 24:34)

The Door Is Swiftly Bolted Behind Them,
They Relate What Had Happened On The Road To Em-ma-us,
They Have Scarcely Finished Their Story,
When Suddenly Another Joins Them.

It Is The Same Bright Form They Had Seen Walking On The Sea Of Galilee.
They Are Terrified, They Had Heard No Footsteps,
No Knock At The Door, It Was Still Bared.
Every Eye Is Fixed On The Stranger From Galilee.

In The Hushed Silence, They Heard, "Peace Be Unto You." (Luke 24:36b)

Luke 24:37. But They Were Terrified And Affrighted, And Supposed That They Had Seen A Spirit.

Jesus Begins To Calm Their Fears,

Luke 24:38. And He Said Unto Them, "Why Are Ye Troubled? And Why Do Thoughts Arise In Your Hearts?

Then Jesus Asks Them To Go One Step Further.

Luke 24:39. "Behold my hands and my feet, that is is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."

He Is Asking You Today,

"Reach Out Your Hands And Touch Me."

As He Says, "Peace Be Unto You."

The First Words That He Brought To A Troubled World,
On The First Night After The Resurrection, "Peace"

It Was The Same Message The Angels Brought At His Birth,
"Peace On Earth, Good Will Toward Men." (Luke 2:14b)

Jesus Brings Peace To The Troubled Conscience,
Peace To The Weary And Heavy Laden,
Peace To Those Who Have Destroyed Their Own Happiness,
Peace To All Troubled And Doubting Souls.

Jesus Can Enter The Closed Doors Of The Sanctuary, And Into The Secret Chambers Of Our Heart.

Yet He Stands At The Door Waiting For An Invitation.

Life On Earth Is A Continual Conflict,
We All Have Problems,
We All Have Grave Concerns.

To Real Men, Living In Conditions Just Like Ours, Jesus Showed Himself On That First Night After The Resurrection.

He Stepped From Behind The Curtain That Hides The Unseen World,
The First Night After The Resurrection,,

To Bring Peace, Wonderful Peace.

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