John 20 Devotional

Met by the Risen Lord

“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”John 20:31 (BSB)

The chapter opens in the dark, with Mary Magdalene finding the stone moved and assuming someone has taken the body (20:1-2). Even after two disciples see the linen cloths lying in the empty tomb, she stays outside weeping. She turns and sees Jesus standing there, but she does not recognize him until he speaks her name (20:14-16). That evening he comes to disciples behind locked doors, speaks peace to them, shows them his hands and side, and breathes on them the Holy Spirit (20:19-22).

Thomas is not there, and he refuses to believe without touching the wounds. Eight days later Jesus comes again and offers him exactly what he demanded, and Thomas confesses that Jesus is both Lord and God (20:24-28). The risen Jesus meets grief, fear, and doubt one person at a time. John says he wrote these signs down so that readers would trust Jesus as the promised Christ and God's Son, and find life through him (20:31). You were in view when this was written, for Jesus calls blessed those who believe without having seen (20:29).

To think about: Where are grief, fear, or doubt strongest in you right now, and how might the risen Jesus be meeting you there?