I wonder how the lives of present-day Christians would be affected if the risen Christ should appear today as He did to His disciples after His resurrection.
“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 said unto them, Peace be unto you. And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.” John 20:19 to 21.
Perhaps we are thinking that if He thus should appear in person and say, “Peace unto you.” we would never again be disturbed, no matter how many contrary winds should blow, or how much uncertainty, unrest, lawlessness and violence should surround us.
What a transformation would take place in our lives! What zeal, enthusiasm, energy, and power would take possession of us, if the glorified Christ should suddenly appear and show unto us His nail-pierced hands and feet and the wound in His side and then say, “As My Father sent me, so send I you!” “These wounds came to Me in the performance of My Father’s will; but I received them for you! These hands and this side mean redemption for you and they also mean, ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price. I send you to tell others that they too may be redeemed because I, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man.”
To make the individual personal application, bow your head in earnest prayer; try in your mind’s eye to see the glorious Christ standing before you, showing you His hands and His side, speaking peace to your heart and sending you out to witness for Him. See what the result will be. The trouble is, that so few of us believe the words that He spoke to Thomas several days later: “Because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:29.
According to I John 3:1 to 3 we are going to see Christ and we are going to be like Him. Therefore, in that Epistle, John urges us not to be ashamed before Him at His coming. I John 2:28.
We are to appear before the judgment seat of Christ. We shall then see His hands, His side and His glorified face; and we shall give an account of deeds done in the flesh, II Corinthians 5:10. “Therefore” . . . Therefore what? “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.” II Corinthians 5:11. “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if One died for all, then were all dead: and that He died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again.” II Corinthians 5:14 and 15.
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” II Corinthians 5:20.
There are so many sinners all around us. The majority of them are indifferent and unconcerned as to the truth, that Christ was wounded for our transgressions. But almost as sad is the fact, that the majority of Christians are as little concerned about getting the saving message to them.
“Peace be unto you; as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.” John 20:21
Christians, will you pray definitely that God will arouse you to your privilege and responsibility in the matter of telling to sinners the story of redemption through the crucified and glorified Christ? And sinner, will you right now receive Christ?
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.” Romans 10:13 to 15.