There are a few distinctions in John's gospel of the post-resurrection account. He specifically mentions Peter and himself running for the empty tomb after Mary informed them of Jesus' body being missing. The details include John staying outside briefly, and just peering in to see the strips of linen, but Peter went all the way inside. Knowing Peter's shame after denying Jesus three times as He predicted, it makes sense that he would be forsaking all pride, diving in out of desperation and want for hope realized. It was noted that the cloth that covered Jesus' head lay separate from the other linen, but was neatly folded up. I remember hearing a story long ago about a tradition possibly indicated here. After a meal, one would neatly fold his napkin, indicating he would return. John eventually entered the tomb. He saw and believed. It was clearly noted that they still didn't understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead. We are somewhat amazed at this, but we live in different times now. We have the pleasure of playing Monday-morning quarterback, after the fact. We also have the New Testament. They didn't.
John testifies there were two angels that appeared to Mary. They were seated at the head and foot of where Jesus had been laying. Jesus disguised Himself when He first appeared to Mary. When He called her name, she recognized Him. It has to be personal, doesn't it? It's in the intimate, personal relationship with Christ that we recognize Him as being alive and well. This is the Easter truth. He calls us by name. He lets us know He loves us and is for us. He encourages and strengthens us. He helps us be aware of His presence. He designed this thing to be personal. No one else can do it on your behalf. We all, as individuals, have to determine who He is to us and respond accordingly. There's no way around it. We have to reckon with who Jesus Christ was and is today. I remember a book titled "Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?". We must make a choice that proves who we say He is - sometimes multiple times in a day!
So Mary Magdalene runs to tell the disciples the good news: "I have seen the Lord!" They are holed up, hiding from the Jews, fearing for their lives. They must be in shock and grieving, wondering what in the world just happened and what is in store for their futures. We all know the way these things go. The storm hits and we react with panic, fear, worry, negativity, and unbelief. That's exactly why it is absolutely perfect what Jesus says when He magically appears inside the room they are in. "Peace be with you!" Notice the exclamation point. I don't know if He said that with an excited smile on His face or if He said it with power and authority, as if to calm the storm. Of course, it's a simple greeting, but it is also significant because He is peace in reality; therefore, Peace is actually with them in Person. He shows them His hands and side. They were overjoyed.
Again, Jesus says, "Peace be with you" a second time. Interesting. Seems redundant, but John is a stickler for details here. Jesus then explains He is sending His disciples out into the world, just as the Father sent Him into the world. He doesn't want us to be afraid of His calling. Here is a remarkable distinction: He breathes on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit". In another gospel, He instructs them to stay in the city until they receive power from on high. John is probably recording that very incident, as they have indeed stayed in the city and have waited until they received the Holy Spirit. Now, I don't know if I'm reading too much into this or not, but it seems to me, Jesus could've just authoritatively injected them with the Holy Spirit and forced it upon them. But, no, He breathed on them. They had to actually open up, take it in, and receive the Holy Spirit. I really like this application and have been catching on to it the last few years. It first hit me that I needed to be receiving the prayers and elements of those prayers that Jesus and others are praying on my behalf. I have to actively receive the power of those prayers. So my response is an action verb: receive. It's not passive. It's actively removing my grip from whatever else I'm holding on to and grabbing hold of what God is allowing to come by way of prayer. Let go of fear. Let go of worry. Let go of control. Release my grip and grab hold of Him who is holding on to me. In this case, the disciples were required to actively receive the Holy Spirit, wholeheartedly and willingly. I suppose, they could've missed out if they had refused to open up and receive. I believe it's the same with prayer. I can miss out on the blessings of those praying for me if I don't truly surrender in faith to receive. Think about it and let me know your thoughts. I believe there is a life of power and victory when we actively receive prayers. I know, it's a weird thought, that Jesus is praying for you, but check out John 17 and catch on to the Spirit of this Truth. In our times of need, in times of pressure, times of persecution, in times of fear and worry, whatever the circumstance, know there are prayers coming your way, plus truths and promises to hold on to. Open up and receive the power and elements of those prayers, that you may be equipped to not only handle the situation, but walk in the Spirit though it and bring God glory in the process. Ask more of what He wants in your situations instead of fretting about getting what you want. What would He want out of these things? Think about it. Let the Spirit illuminate what He is really interested in as outlined in His Word. May we be about what He wants in these temporary conditions.
The fruit of this process is Peace with a capital P. You will have the real and present Christ right there with you through it all. What else do you need? Plus, you will have real peace about the whole situation because you know He is with you and is for you. Peace is who and what we really need in these situations. It's what we all crave through it all. Our confidence should be in Him, His character, His truth, and His promises, not in information, knowledge, predictions, or statistical probabilities. He is the only reliable and solid element we can depend on. Trust Him with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...(Prov. 3:5-6)
I can relate to Thomas. I think he gets a bad rap, maybe even a bad rep! He is living proof that people can doubt or struggle with uncertainty, but still respond in full faith and courage. Anyone perfectly solid in faith out there? He already proved his boldness earlier in John by being willing to go with Jesus back to a certain town that would certainly lead to certain death! He's a good dude. He just gets inspired and on fire when he knows that he knows what he knows. I can appreciate that. That's finding his confidence. That's a guy that acts with resolve and determination, with commitment. Now, don't forget, in the other accounts, it is obvious the other disciples didn't believe either, so don't think it was just Thomas that doubted. They all should be dubbed the Doubting Disciples, instead of Thomas taking on the name by himself. He knew what he wanted. In fact, he's the only one that distinctly defined what he needed to see to believe. I love the fact that Jesus wasn't physically present, but He heard what Thomas declared. We see that in the Bible and we should love and respect our Savior for this. No, we should be in more awe about Him than anything else in this story. It's amazing and wonderful to know He can read our thoughts and knows every word we say. Think about what this actually means and let it impact our belief in Him. It should be a positive, not a negative, as if we might be embarrassed or scared of what He can hear or know. Let it change our mind. Let it mature our faith. Let this reality sink in and affect how we think and talk. This is a true mark of a true disciple of Christ - one who recognizes this truth and lives accordingly.
So, notice the third declaration by Jesus in this passage: "Peace be with you!" Exclamation point again. What do you think? Three times He said "Peace". In the next chapter we will observe another set of three by Jesus when He reinstates Peter by asking him if he loves Him three times. Interesting. I can't say with any certainty or authority here, but I know I like it. I know I need the reminder three times at least in my life. I need to hear it over and over when I'm in the storm because I quickly resort to my own tendencies of fear and unbelief. Also, three is a common number that represents completion. Seven is also such a number the Lord uses in scriptures to signify completion. But think of the Trinity as an example. It's a perfect picture of completeness in relationship- three caricatures of God in perfect unity.
Anyway, Thomas gets the privilege of actually touching Jesus' wounds and I suppose, scars- maybe. The NIV says "Reach out your hand and put it into my side." I wonder about that. Into? There's no telling what has happened here, as this is definitely a very unique body of Christ. He already informed Mary not to cling to Him because He hasn't ascended yet to the Father. Very interesting indeed. Now, here's a huge point and application to this entire chapter. I apologize for digressing and taking this long to get to it. I probably should have began the summary with this very point, so make sure your spirit is awake and hears this: "Stop doubting and believe." I want us to apply this command to our lives today. He is talking to us when He said, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." We have the written, true accounts in the form of our Holy Bibles. We haven't seen with our own eyes. These guys witnessed these things with their very eyes and were prompted by the Holy Spirit to write it down for us to know and believe without a doubt. How are we doing with this command? Guilty here. I needed to hear this again today. Lord, forgive my doubt, weak faith, and unbelief. I've worried, fretted, and feared much too much. Thank You for this reminder today. Bless your people, my friends, with Your very strength and encouragement, that we would be people of faith, assurance, confidence, and belief, especially during these current storms. Thank You for knowing our minds and words. May that truth be the help we need to mature in our faith and walk in Your Spirit. May we agree with Thomas and prove it by our lives what we say You are to us, "My Lord and my God!" Amen.
John 20 closes with the central theme and purpose for the entire book. It is clear that John specifically chose only a few miracles to prove certain points. "These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." (v.31). Believe who He said He is, friends. He is the Way to eternal life and to truly living during this short stint on Earth. May the resurrected Christ be alive and well in your hearts this year. It's still Easter. Let's not forget it.
