June 23 He’s Alive!

John 20:19-21 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, 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 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.”

NOW it’s the disciples’ turn to see the risen Lord. They had dismissed Mary’s claim in John 20:18 “I have seen the Lord.” Even with this testimony, God had not yet revealed to them the reality of Jesus’ many prophecies as here in Luke 9:44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” They had heard Jesus tell them what would happen. They had heard Mary tell them what did happen. Why were they so dull to not understand and believe? Read on to see the Luke’s next record in Luke 9:45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
   Remember John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”  They Holy Spirit had not yet opened their minds to understand. We don’t know why. God has his plans to reveal his truth in his purposes and times. Perhaps, though, we can learn a lesson of God’s Word: if you do not understand, ask questions and seek knowledge. We must never be afraid to seek the truth. They only reason for fear is to not understand. The Lord God wants us to pursue his truth. He longs for our hearts to desire knowledge and wisdom. A disciple’s journey is to move past our fears and into Jesus’ truth.
   Yes, Jesus’ chosen students were afraid to seek the truth and to respond to the truth. Think of it. Fear almost caused them to miss the risen Savior of the world. Thankfully, though, Jesus pursued them. He walked through the locked door and came after their hearts to say, “Peace be with you.” Jesus needed them out of their fear and into faith. They had work to do. The disciples would soon have the Great Commission to obey. Yes, Jesus would command them to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:19-20a) There would be no more doubt, fear and hiding. Meekness would disappear. Boldly they would go because Jesus is alive! Even more, he added a promise to his command, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mathew 28:20b) And I am sure they believed him!
   I’m glad you stopped being afraid, Mr. Disciples! I’m glad you found joy and power in the risen Christ. If you hadn’t, who would have? Would I know Jesus today if you had stayed afraid? Oh, thank you for passionately following your Lord. You are the Spirit-empowered instruments to teach me to call him, “My Lord.”
   And thank you, Holy Spirit, for revealing the resurrection truth to me. Now my life is changed, made new, born again. My life is eternally out of the grave. There are no reasons to be afraid. The risen Lord is my Lord and Savior.
 
Prayer: I pray, Spirit, my heart, soul and mind are at peace because Jesus is alive in me. Amen.