John chapter 20

John chapter 20
Scripture
Today I will summarize John 20 where Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his
disciples. Three days and three nights after Jesus died on the cross Mary Magdalene went
to the tomb but the stone was removed. She ran to Peter and John and told them the
officials had taken Jesus out of the tomb and she didn’t know where his body was. Peter
and John ran to the tomb and saw the grave clothes soaked in spices but Jesus was not
there. Then Peter and John went back to where they were staying amazed.
Mary stood out crying. She looked back into the tomb and something shocked her. She saw
two angels sitting in there where Jesus’s body had been. They asked Mary why she was
crying. She said if they took Jesus ‘s body let her know and she would go retrieve it.
She heard a voice behind her calling her name. She turned and saw Jesus standing there.
Jesus told Mary to go tell all the disciples that he has risen just as he said. Mary went right
away and told them, but they didn’t believe her.
Later that evening all the disciples were in a room at one of their houses. Their doors were
locked because they thought that the religious leaders and government officials were
looking for them to crucify them too.
Suddenly Jesus stood among them and said,” Peace be with you.” Jesus showed them all
his hands and aside where the nails and spear pierced him. Jesus then breathed on them
and said, receive the Holy Spirit. Thomas the disciple was not there and did not see Jesus.
He refused to believe and said that unless he put his finger into the nail holes and chest
wound, he would never believe.
A week later, that is in fact what happened. Jesus appeared to the disciples again and
Thomas was there. Jesus told Thomas to stop doubting and believe and he let Thomas
touch his wounds. Jesus said to Thomas he believed because he saw with his eyes and
touched with his hands. He mentioned that” Blessed are the people who have not seen yet
have believed.”

OBSERVATION
The thing I think the Lord wants us to understand after reading this chapter is that Jesus did
many miracles and signs in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book.
But these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of God and that
believing you might have life through his name. Jesus was resurrected from the dead and
was physically seen by many people at one time on numerous occasions.

We have the benefit of reading how God has been faithful to his people over and over
again. Agod took care of his people, we can take comfort in knowing we are part of “his
children” now, promises apply to us as well.
Pray and be honest with God. Tell him what’s on your mind. What scares you, what do you
want to do to speed up his process, and listen? Bring him into the discussion room where
you make decisions, and let his voice have a stronger say in your dilemma than your own.
Let God know what is keeping you from trusting. The process of admitting your fears to him
and letting him love you even in your fear can bridge the gap of your distrust.
Put your desire on hold, and trust the answer you received when you told God what you
wanted to do, If he says no, then you need to make the conscious effort to hold yourself
back and not to do what he told you not to do. This is one of the hardest parts of trust, but
in the same way that you can look back and see how God has been faithful to you, your trust
will be proven in your actions.
This isn’t an overnight change, and it won’t be an easy adjustment to make. But it can be
done. Remember to ask him for grace. Nothing is impossible for God.

Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I am thankful that I can bow my heart in prayer, knowing that you hear me even if I am not
speaking aloud.
God, I ask that you search me and forgive me for everything I may have said or done that
was not right in your eyes. God, I know that I make a lot of mistakes.
I am thankful that you lovingly forgive me when I ask. I am asking now that you please
forgive me and help me to do better.
God, I want to grow in faith, and I want to strengthen my relationship with you. I know that
first, I must learn to trust. Please continue to show me how to submit to your will, your way,
and your truth.
Father, for so long I lived my life my way, and I did not have a good outcome. I want to live
my life by trusting in you. I believe that you love me and that you have a better plan for me.
A plan not harm me but prosper me. I trust in your wisdom even when I do not understand.
Please God increase my faith and help me to look to you for everlasting life.
In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen