The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – John 20:24-29 (day three)

“Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

It’s not hard to read Jesus’s words as, “Those who will believe without physically having seen me occupy a place of greater favor than those who have seen me with their eyes.” But Jesus pronounces a blessing on generations of people yet to be born without taking anything away from Thomas’s experience. Thomas was a man grappling with a sense of grief and loss. His initial disbelief might well have served as a buffer against further suffering – his way of saying, “I can’t let myself long for something like that to be true, lest I become even more bitterly grieved when it turns out to have been wishful thinking.” What Jesus does do here is announce to future disciples that he longs for them as deeply as he does these eleven dear friends.

Re:Verse passage – John 20:24-29 (day two)  Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Vs. 28

We know what Thomas said when the other disciples told of their experience with the risen Jesus. He talked a big game. “Not until I actually put my finger in his side will I believe.” Then came his opportunity, and Jesus gives him permission to touch the wounds. It is interesting to me, that scripture does not record Thomas actually following through. Jesus’ nearness, his presence, his voice, and the sight of his resurrected body were more than sufficient. Thomas’ response was perfect. He acknowledged Jesus as his Lord. Jesus goes on to speak of us who would not have that opportunity that Thomas had. People today will speak of needing to witness a miracle before they believe. Are they that different than Thomas? What is needed is to experience the nearness of the Holy Spirit and to know his presence, which is a miracle in itself. It would be wise for us to not put conditions upon our meeting or following Jesus. We should seek to be near him, and acknowledge our savior.

Re:Verse passage – John 20:19-23 (day seven)

as the Father has sent Me, I also send you. vs 21

This is the Johannine great commission. Though Matthew’s account is the most recognized one, each Gospel has a moment towards the end of the book where Jesus commissions the disciples (and us as well) to Go and Tell. Here we find the disciples huddled together in fear behind a locked door. There is beauty in this picture though. As often as we critique these individuals for their fear, we lose sight that they were together. They knew they were Better Together. Jesus had commanded and prayed that this group would stand together and grow together. This objective had been completed. Now it was time to Go and Tell His story together. It was time to open the door and go do something.

As we move our rally cry from Better Together to Go and Tell, we can know that our strength is in our cohesion, we are stronger and Better Together. Imagine how strong we can be as we Go and Tell His story together. It is time for us to open the door and go do something.

Re:Verse passage – John 20:19-23 (day six)

“Peace be with you.”

This was a customary greeting, but these men heard it in a new way. Each of them had abandoned Jesus; they had fled for their lives, save, maybe John. Now, he was with them in the flesh. They were fearful of the authorities, but I imagine at that moment they were afraid of Jesus too. (In more ways than one.)

His greeting was intended to put them at ease, as if to say, “We are okay. I don’t hold anything against you.”

Up to that very moment, they must have carried so much guilt and sorrow, but with just one greeting, they were at peace. Can you imagine?

Is that not what Jesus says to us when we come to him in faith? “Peace, be with you.” Aren’t you grateful for peace?

Re:Verse passage – John 20:19-23 (day five)  Make no mistake, the disciples were afraid. Not just scared, but terrified to the point of being paranoid and debilitated. Trapped behind locked doors (not only keeping Jewish leaders out, but keeping them shut in). Their minds were racing as to the potential dangers they could be facing. A perfect picture of what unhealthy fear does to the heart and soul.

Yet Jesus comes and places Himself in their “midst”. Not on the periphery but among them. What happened to them/in them is amazing. They were filled with joy. With the joy came courage and peace.  With the joy came hope and clarity. With the joy came mission and purpose.

It was a life changing moment brought about by joy. Was there still fear? I suppose. But their joy was greater, and that made all the difference. Oh Lord, fill us with joy.

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬

Joy is the serious business of heaven. – C. S. Lewis

Re:Verse passage – John 20:19-23 (day four)

The breath of God is more powerful than we could ever imagine. In Genesis, man gets his very life from God’s breath. Psalm 33 proclaims that the breath of God created the heavenly host. Job tells us that the breath of the Almighty gives understanding. Here, Jesus simply breathes, and the disciples receive the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God himself, the third member of the Trinity, imparted through breath.

It’s by this Holy Spirit that we can participate in life with God. The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to live in a new way. Right after he breathes the Spirit onto them, Jesus starts talking about forgiveness. Of all the ways that the Spirit changes our lives – Jesus chooses to talk about how the Spirit empowers us to forgive. Overcoming unforgiveness is one of the most powerful ways the Spirit acts in our lives. Are you having trouble forgiving someone who has wronged you? Take it to the Lord. When you walk with God, he has given you his Spirit through a simple breath. Through that Spirit, forgiveness is possible.

Re:Verse passage – John 20:19-23 (day three)

“Peace be with you.”

You might from time to time encounter a self-proclaimed “straight shooter” who will “tell it like it is.” That kind of bluster will ride roughshod over a person’s soul. Jesus, by contrast, used words not to establish a reputation, but to move in close to a person’s heart. Sometimes the person rejected that move. Other times, the person welcomed it. In either case, Jesus always spoke words that perfectly fit the circumstance. His words served people. This instance is no exception. A “straight shooter” would have shamed the disciples for their terror and scolded them for their confusion about resurrection. Jesus, deeply moved by their fear and pain, knew they needed peace, not a pep talk. Their courage to love the whole world arose from their experience of the one who spoke words of compassion into their weakness.

Re:Verse passage – John 20:19-23 (day two) And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. vs. 20

Jesus’ first words to the disciples were ones of peace, and then he immediately showed them his wounds. It was after he had done this that they rejoiced. He was aware of the visceral need to see, touch, experience the resurrection. It is one of the things I love best about the savior, he understands the human condition fully. He ate, was tired and took naps, he laughed, and he suffered. All of these are what being fully human represent. When scripture speaks of ‘hungering and thirsting for righteousness’ it taps into a very real understanding by those who walk this mortal journey. It seems an odd statement that they would rejoice over the wounds, but it made the power of resurrection real, and Jesus understood that need to see and feel. Our trust is in the power of scripture and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to know the truth of Jesus’ resurrection power. Thanks be to God.