Read: John 20
Imagine
what has just been experienced by Jesus disciples - their leader, the one who
they thought would become King including freeing them from the rule of the
Roman’s, has just died and is in the grave.
It was over; they had lost, so they went back to their ordinary
lives. Three years of following Jesus,
wasted! Or was it? At the beginning of chapter 20 we find Mary
Magdalene going to Jesus’ tomb and finding the stone rolled away (v. 1). Imagine the loss that she felt - she not only
saw her Lord die; now she couldn’t even mourn at His place of burial! Yet when she looks into the tomb she sees two
angels who and meets the Lord and her
grief turned to joy! He then tells her
to go and tell the others and she went to the disciples with her news! Next, we find the disciples in a home with
the doors locked. Yet these locked doors
were no barrier to the Risen Lord! Jesus
came and stood among them and gave them peace (v. 19). He showed them His hands and side. They were overjoyed! Jesus then gives them instructions and sends
them, formally bestowing on them the promised Holy Spirit (v. 22).
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Without the resurrection the cross is powerless
and meaningless. Spend some time
reflecting on the resurrection of Christ - we serve a Risen Saviour, He is
ALIVE, He is real, we can have a relationship with Him and talk to Him, He
cares for us, He loves us…etc. Write a
prayer of thanksgiving, worship and praise to Jesus! Ask Him to show you at least 8-10 things that
you can worship Him for today!
2. John tells us the account of one woman, Mary
Magdalene, who Jesus appeared to after His resurrection. This was no ordinary person but was a person
who had been miraculously transformed by Jesus.
This is the type of witness Jesus is looking for! Are you that kind of person? How has your life been utterly transformed by
Jesus? Ask Him to give you a word,
thought, picture or verse about how He is transforming you!
3. When Jesus met His disciples, He brought peace to
them. This is important because they
wree probably feeling a bit sheepish about not being there for Him at His
crucifixion. Yet He doesn`t rebuke them,
He restores them. Yet, He not only
forgave and accepted them; He sent them (v. 21). This is the Jesus that we love and
serve! Take a moment to ask the Lord to
bring peace into any circumstance in your life where you may have fear or
anxiety. Ask Him for a comforting word,
thought, picture or verse. Then spend
time in worship of Him!
