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DEVOTIONAL
OPENING PRAYER
O God, who through the grace of thy Holy Spirit dost pour the gift of love into the hearts of thy faithful people; Grant us health, both of mind and body; that we may love thee with our whole strength, and with glad hearts may perform those things which are pleasing unto thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
INTRODUCTION
This weeks scripture is our scripture – it happens after the resurrection, where we live and it addresses the issues of our contemporary faith situation. We are just like the disciples locked in the upper room that Easter night. We have heard what others have said about Jesus, but we didn’t see him rise that first morning. It seems too good to be true. And besides, there are still mean people in the world who don’t believe and they are against us. What are we to do? Let’s read the scriptures.
SCRIPTURE LESSON
John 20:19-31 NIV
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
Jesus Appears to Thomas
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
REFLECTION
JESUS SHOWS UP. Even behind our locked doors and windows, Jesus shows up to offer us his peace and empower us for his mission. Jesus offers all of us the assurance we need to believe and to follow him in peace and in community. Even when there is division within the community, (Thomas demanding a personal experience,) we remain peaceful and supportive of each other and follow Jesus. We all get to hear Thomas’ declaration of faith, “My Lord and my God!”
Empowered by the Holy Spirit which Jesus breathes into our lives we are able to move out of our fears and locked down state and boldly move into the world and share his Good news. We are to proclaim the forgiveness of sins through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. The purpose of all the scriptures and our spiritual experiences is “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” This is the final echo of John 3:16. It is true.
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, allow me your servant to go in peace. I have experienced your salvation which you have prepared for everyone. Uphold me as I seek to serve in your name. AMEN.
Blessings,
Pastor Tom
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