[:en]SCRIPTURE: JOHN 20
Bible Verses:
“Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:27-29)
THE EMPTY TOMB (vs. 1-9)
Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw the stone had been removed. She run to Simon Peter and John and told them that Jesus was no longer in the tomb. So Peter and John and other ran to the tomb and saw the strips of linen and cloth lying there.
JESUS APPEARS TO MARY MAGDALENE (vs. 9-18)
While Mary was crying outside the tomb, she saw two angels asking here: “Why are you crying?” (v. 13) When she turned around, she saw Jesus standing saying: “Woman why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” (v. 15). Thinking that he was the gardener, she told him to tell her where Jesus was. Jesus said: “Mary” and when Mary turned around, he recognized Jesus and said: “Teacher”. Mary told the disciples that she had seen the Lord.
JESUS APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES (vs. 19-23)
While the disciples were together in a room, Jesus came and said: “Peace be with you”. As the Father has sent me, I am sending you”. Then he breathe on them to receive the Holy Spirit. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
JESUS APPEARS TO THOMAS (vs. 24-30)
When Jesus came to his disciples, Thomas was not with them. The other disciples told Thomas that they had seen the Lord. But Thomas would not believe until he saw the nail marks in his hand and put his finger where the nails were.
A week later, Jesus appeared to Thomas and told him to put his fingers in his hands. He told him to stop doubting and believe. Thomas said to him: “My Lord and my God” (v. 28). Jesus said: “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (v. 29)
THOUGHTS:
- Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene with LOVE. Mary was weeping but Jesus called her name. His love love turned her from mourner to missionary.
- Jesus appeared to his disciples with PEACE and HOPE. His peace transcends all understanding. The Holy Spirit gives them hope and encouragement to preach the gospel.
- Jesus appeared to Thomas with FAITH. Jesus tenderly deals with Thomas unbelief with sense of sight and touch. Today, we have the word of God to erase our doubts and give us his assurance.
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