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: ’Tis their last meal, for now the sun has set, One breaks the bread. I know that lovely face, That voice—but lo! he’s vanished from the place. “Was it an angel? No, it was the Lord. He lives again—he is to us restor’d.” What joy now fills these hearts that late were fill’d With fears! Ah, now forever—ever still’d! “Well might our hearts burn in us by the way While Jesus spake,” the fond disciples say; “How sweet was his discourse! we little thought That it was he. How strange we knew him not! “But stranger far that we did not believe That he would rise again! Could _he_ deceive? O no, he is the faithful and the true, And what he says he evermore will do.” Were these their thoughts? And such too will be mine. When I in glory see my Saviour shine. For though I know he ever lives to save, I sometimes doubt his word, and fear the grave. LESSON XLVII. THOMAS. JOHN, xx. 24 to end. YOU have heard how the disciples saw Jesus in the evening. One of the disciples was not there when Jesus came. His name was Thomas. I do not know why he was not there.