We have seen Jesus! said these good men. He has walked with us, and talked with us; but we did not know him till he sat down with us at supper, and broke some bread, and gave thanks to his Father. The disciples said, Some women have seen him, and Peter has seen him.
But while they were eating supper and talking about Jesus, they looked and saw Jesus standing in the middle of the room. Though the door was locked, yet he had come in.
How do you think the disciples felt? They were frightened: they could not believe that it was indeed Jesus himself.
Jesus spoke kindly to them. Why are you afraid? he said. Look at my hands and feet. It is I myself. Then Jesus showed his disciples the marks that the nails had made in his hands and feet, and the hole that the spear had made in his side.
Then the disciples saw that it was their own dear Master. They were glad, very glad, to see him: they had been crying ever since they had lost him. They saw that he had forgiven them for having run away. He said nothing to them about it: he had even forgiven Peter. He knew that Peter loved him, and that he was very sorry.
The disciples were so much surprised to see Jesus, that they could hardly believe that he was alive. Jesus knew that they did not quite believe; so he said, Have you anything to eat? Then the disciples gave him a piece of fish and some honey from their supper; and Jesus took them and began to eat, that the disciples might see that he was really alive.
Then afterward he talked to them, and told them why he had died, and that he was going back to his Father to pray for them.
That was a pleasant night for the poor disciples. It was not like that sad night when Jesus was so sorrowful in the garden. His sorrows were over, and he never would feel pain any more.
There are but three around that table met: