It might be read, Is it my Master? See with what pleasure those who love Jesus speak of his authority
over them. He forbids her to expect that his bodily presence look further, than the present state of
things. Observe the relation to God, from union with Christ. We, partaking of a Divine nature,
Christ's Father is our Father; and he, partaking of the human nature, our God is his God. Christ's
ascension into heaven, there to plead for us, is likewise an unspeakable comfort. Let them not think
this earth is to be their home and rest; their eye and aim, and earnest desires, must be upon another
world, and this ever upon their hearts, I ascend, therefore I must seek the things which are above.
And let those who know the word of Christ, endeavour that others should get good from their
knowledge.
Verses 19–25
This was the first day of the week, and this day is afterwards often mentioned by the sacred
writers; for it was evidently set apart as the Christian sabbath, in remembrance of Christ's
resurrection. The disciples had shut the doors for fear of the Jews; and when they had no such
expectation, Jesus himself came and stood in the midst of them, having miraculously, though
silently, opened the doors. It is a comfort to Christ's disciples, when their assemblies can only be
held in private, that no doors can shut out Christ's presence. When He manifests his love to believers
by the comforts of his Spirit, he assures them that because he lives, they shall live also. A sight of
Christ will gladden the heart of a disciple at any time; and the more we see of Jesus, the more we
shall rejoice. He said, Receive ye the Holy Ghost, thus showing that their spiritual life, as well as
all their ability for their work, would be derived from him, and depended upon him. Every word
of Christ which is received in the heart by faith, comes accompanied by this Divine breathing; and
without this there is neither light nor life. Nothing is seen, known, discerned, or felt of God, but
through this. After this, Christ directed the apostles to declare the only method by which sin would
be forgiven. This power did not exist at all in the apostles as a power to give judgment, but only
as a power to declare the character of those whom God would accept or reject in the day of judgment.
They have clearly laid down the marks whereby a child of God may be discerned and be
distinguished from a false professor; and according to what they have declared shall every case be
decided in the day of judgment. When we assemble in Christ's name, especially on his holy day,
he will meet with us, and speak peace to us. The disciples of Christ should endeavour to build up
one another in their most holy faith, both by repeating what they have heard to those that were
absent, and by making known what they have experienced. Thomas limited the Holy One of Israel,
when he would be convinced by his own method or not at all. He might justly have been left in his
unbelief, after rejecting such abundant proofs. The fears and sorrows of the disciples are often
lengthened, to punish their negligence.
Verses 26–29
That one day in seven should be religiously observed, was an appointment from the beginning.
And that, in the kingdom of the Messiah, the first day of the week should be that solemn day, was
pointed out, in that Christ on that day once and again met his disciples in a religious assembly. The
religious observance of that day has come down to us through every age of the church. There is
not an unbelieving word in our tongues, nor thought in our minds, but it is known to the Lord Jesus;