It Is You! You are Alive!

Lesson #329

We finished the previous lesson with the appearance of Jesus to his disciples who were hiding behind closed and locked doors. “Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John doesn’t explain what he means by “Jesus came” and stood among them and as a result there is a difference of opinion about how Jesus got into the room. It is very simple. He just appeared and he said to them: “Peace be with you.” “When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord” (John 20:20 ESV).

In a kind, tender and affectionate manner, Jesus instructs them to be at peace and come and look at his hands and side to see the marks of crucifixion. Except for the nail marks and the spear wound, Jesus stands before them with a restored physical body, but not yet clothed with glory. He wants his disciples to be sure they understand this is the same body that hung and died on the cross and is now alive. Having those marks is important as they are evidence that this resurrected Jesus is the one who was crucified on the cross for their sin. This evidence will be very important when the Jews will one day see and realize that the One they hung on the cross for blasphemy and crucified was indeed their Messiah. The disciples saw the marks and were glad to know that the person they had lived with for three years and explained to them that he would die for their sin and would rise again. He now gives them proof that he has overcome death and that anyone who is born spiritually will also rise from the grave.

“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”” (John 20:21 ESV).  Jesus knows there are difficult times ahead for the disciples and so he again said to them, “Peace be with you.” But just as Jesus, God’s Son, was sent on assignment with a message and a job to do, so he sends his disciples on assignment and thus us also. Paul makes this very clear: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8 – 10 ESV). Jesus will strengthen this command later, but for now he tells them there is work to do, which can’t be done filled with fear sitting behind closed and locked doors. What closed and locked door are we sitting behind or are we out on our assignment?

Jesus was sent by the Father to explain in word and by miracles that he was the way and the truth and the life, and that he was going to the cross as God’s perfect sacrifice to purchase our salvation. As believers, we are to go and explain to others this message.

Prayer

Father, what an amazing moment that must have been for the disciples to have Jesus appear in the room with them. I wonder what they had to say. What assurance that must have given them; what hope. Jesus appeared to them once before, like a ghost, walking on water during a great storm, but now their assurance of eternal life stands before them as their resurrected savior. Father, what joy and excitement to have spent two years of study and walked with Jesus and now meet him in the room with the disciples. Father, I must go and write more Bible studies to send out into the world, where I can’t go now, to share the message of salvation and help train up disciples.