John 20.19-31
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Yet so far, Jesus has only appeared to Mary Magdalene. In today’s passage, it’s the disciples’ turn to encounter Him.
Have you ever waited with bated breath for something you weren’t quite sure was going to happen or not? Imagine the disciples hearing that Mary has seen Jesus. This, after his brutal crucifixion. This, after his certified burial. Feel their incredulity, confusion, trepidation and ever-so-slight sliver of hope… only for Jesus to suddenly appear in their house where they were cowering behind locked doors!
It’s easy enough to point fingers at the disciples, to criticise or mock them. But maybe our responses wouldn’t have been all that different. Maybe we might even have similar reactions today. Let’s look at three things we can learn about the resurrected Jesus: PEACE, PURPOSE, PATIENCE.
Verse 19 reveals that the disciples were hiding with the doors ‘locked for fear of the Jews’ – understandable really, considering what they’d just seen them do to their Lord and Master. It was only a matter of time before the knocks on the door demanding their arrest and death, right? Yet in the next verse, this very fear turns into rejoicing! All it took was Jesus to appear in their midst, alive and well, bearing the physical marks of his death.
I wonder if you’ve ever found yourself in a fearful situation only to find joy in God’s presence and salvation?
I know I’m not the only one who notices that Jesus says ‘Peace be with you’ three times (vv. 19, 21, 26). It’s often said as a polite greeting in church nowadays, but in this case the disciples must have really needed it!
The first point is that the resurrected Jesus brings PEACE, even in the most hopeless of situations. Already He fulfils what He promised in John 14.27: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.’ Fear is a natural part of our lives. But we can believe that Jesus does and will give us peace ‘which surpasses all understanding’ (Philippians 4.7).
Jesus then does two things: He announces that He is sending them out, and He breathes on them so they can receive the Holy Spirit.
We were never meant to keep Jesus to ourselves. His promise of eternal life isn’t just for me and you. He died and rose again for everyone! We cannot be myopic and inward-looking; rather we must respond to Jesus’ commission (or co-mission) to seek and save the lost.
But we cannot do this alone. Just as the Father sent His Spirit upon Jesus before His ministry, so too does Jesus breathe His Spirit upon us. Did you know that the Greek word for ‘breathe’ is the same word used in the Greek Old Testament when God breathes life into Adam (Genesis 2.7), and when the dry bones are raised to life (Ezekiel 37.9)?
The second point is that the resurrected Jesus gives us PURPOSE, and He also gives us life and authority to fulfil it. He gives us His Spirit to go out into the world; and we can only go out into the world if we have His Spirit. It’s a both/and!
Did you notice that locked doors couldn’t keep Jesus out? It shows that his resurrected body didn’t have the same limitations as our physical bodies. He could very well have said, ‘Don’t touch! Don’t gawk! Hands off!’ Yet He doesn’t withhold Himself from His disciples, even giving Thomas permission to touch His wounds as proof of His death and resurrection.
Thomas is an interesting figure: he goes from stubborn unbelief to wholehearted confession of Jesus: ‘My Lord and my God!’ (v. 28) One thing’s for sure – you can’t fault the man for his honesty. But what is even more astounding is Jesus’ acquiescence to Thomas’ demands.
The third point is that the resurrected Jesus demonstrates PATIENCE and immense grace. Even when we doubt, even when we struggle to believe, He invites us closer to reassure us of His goodness and love. He’s not obligated to meet our demands, yet He always meets us where we’re at.
But make no mistake: Jesus calls us to higher faith. ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ (v. 29) The journey of following Jesus is truly one where ‘we walk by faith, not by sight.’ (2 Cor 5.7)
Let’s pray.
Lord, help us to believe in You more and more. Increase and strengthen our faith in You. Thank You that You are patient with us when we doubt. Thank You that You are the bringer of peace when we are fearful. Thank You for the gift of eternal life. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit to empower us for the purpose of sharing You with those who don’t know You yet. Restore unto us the joy of your salvation, and renew a right spirit within us. In Your name we pray, Amen.