John 20:19-23 - On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."

I love the way this story starts. "On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews ..." Yes, absolutely the disciples were hiding behind locked doors, and who can blame them? It's only been three days since they saw their own Lord Jesus put to death in a horrible way by their own country's leaders. Of course they think they might be next! Though I rather doubt locking the doors would be enough to save them.

It isn't enough to stop Jesus, either. Because He comes to them in their fear, without bothering to open the doors or even knock. He's just there, standing among them. And the first thing He says is this: "Peace be with you."

How wonderful! Because peace is what they need, and He knows it. And He doesn't stop with words, He shows them the marks of His suffering and death right away—his ID, you could say. Because the holes in His hand and side make it clear it's really Him and not some ghost or spirit impersonating Him. They can see, even touch and handle Him, and know that this is their own dear Lord. Of course they are glad!

And what about us? When we are afraid, we need Jesus to come to us—and He knows it, and He does. He ignores all the barriers we throw up to keep people out, and comes and stands right there with us in our fear.

And He shows us His wounds—because those are the reason we have lasting peace with God forever, in spite of our fear and our pain and our brokenness. Looking at those marks, we never need to be afraid that God will reject us or forget us—we are written on His hands and feet forever. Whatever trouble we face, He will be right there with us.

And now that He has risen from the dead, He has become the Source of our life forever—not just someday in heaven, but right now, in the middle of our struggles. Because Jesus is alive today, and He cares for us, and He has given us the Holy Spirit to strengthen us and remake our hearts. He has given us work to do—telling other people the Good News about Him, so that they, too, can be forgiven and have peace. And He has promised to stay with us forever.

WE PRAY: Lord, all I can say is "thank You." Stay with me and strengthen me. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

1. When you are afraid, what kinds of things do you do to protect yourself?

2. How does Jesus comfort you when you are afraid?

3. What do those marks in His hands and side mean to you?

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Samuel 4-6    Luke 18:1-23

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