John 20:19-23 (NRSV)
Read John 20:19-23 on biblegateway.com
Verse 19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Verse 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Verse 21Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Verse 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Verse 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
Devotion
It’s Easter Sunday evening and the disciples have retreated to a locked room. Just hours earlier, Mary Magdalene had rushed to tell them “I have seen the Lord!” Just hours earlier, Peter and the disciple Jesus loved had visited the tomb themselves and seen it empty. John’s story tells us they then returned home. But at some point they must have decided to regroup, to talk over all they’d heard and seen. So now we find them in the locked room, huddled in fear. Were they wondering if it could possibly be true? Could Jesus really be alive? As they think back to all the things they’d seen him do in their three years together, could they hope he’d conquered his own death as well? Jesus didn’t let them wonder for long. He showed up. He showed them his wounds. He showed them a way forward.
Prayer
Precious Jesus, we give thanks that you show up for us in so many ways. Give us good courage to show up for those you love. Amen.
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