“Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”
John 20:19-20
The gospel writers allow us to walk with Jesus’ disciples during the last days and even hours of His life. The range of their emotions is extensive: bewilderment, disbelief, fear, worry, defeat, etc. After three years of living with Jesus in the realm of the mysterious and miraculous, it was coming to an end. Some scattered and hid after His arrest. Others were close by but did not to come to His defense at the trial. It all seemed to be unraveling.
Even after discovering the empty tomb on the third day, they still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead (see John 20:9). But oh, the joy as they realized it all was coming true!
Without the resurrection, we have no hope or joy. We present-day disciples can at times experience the same emotions as Jesus’ early disciples. We can’t see Him, can’t hear His voice, can’t feel His presence. We feel like our lives are unraveling. But we serve a living Savior who is in the world today. He appeared to them and comes to us, too, inviting us to believe and celebrate.
Even after discovering the empty tomb on the third day, they still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead (see John 20:9). But oh, the joy as they realized it all was coming true!
Without the resurrection, we have no hope or joy. We present-day disciples can at times experience the same emotions as Jesus’ early disciples. We can’t see Him, can’t hear His voice, can’t feel His presence. We feel like our lives are unraveling. But we serve a living Savior who is in the world today. He appeared to them and comes to us, too, inviting us to believe and celebrate.
Scripture Focus
John 20:19-23
Insight
“I see His hand of mercy,/ I hear His voice of cheer,/ And just the time I need Him/ He's always near.” (Alfred H. Ackley, 1933)
Bible In A Year
- Isaiah 35-36
- Psalm 88
- Acts 10