John 20

"But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."  John 20:31

Jesus is alive!  We serve a risen Savior!  Jesus conquered sin and death for us!  When Peter and John ran to the empty tomb on that wonderful resurrection day they found undeniable physical evidence that Jesus had indeed risen from the grave!  John said about Himself in John 20:8, "He saw and believed."  As a result John's life was changed forever.  The apostle John then went on to write the Gospel of John; the Epistles of I John, II John, and III John; and the book of Revelation.  As we also truly behold the Lord Jesus in all of His glory and in all of His mercy and love, we too are changed forever.

Because of Jesus Christ's resurrection and death our hopelessness is removed.  When Mary Magdalene was standing in the garden she was crying tears of hopelessness.  Mary thought that Jesus was still dead and that someone had stolen His body.  Jesus appeared to Mary and said in John 20:15, "Why are you crying?"  Mary's hopeless crying was needless.  The Lord was and is alive!  Those who do not know or accept the Lord in their lives have no hope or true purpose in their lives.  As children of God, however, Hebrews 6:19 tells us that we have Jesus Christ's hope and peace in our lives "as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." 

John 20:19b says that when Jesus appeared to His disciples He said to them, "peace be with you!"  Jesus then showed His disciples His hands with their nail prints and His side which had been pierced.  John 20:20b tells us, "The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord."  Jesus Christ, our resurrected Lord, is also our source of joy and peace!

Because of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection doubt and fear are removed.  The apostle Thomas was not present the first time that Jesus appeared to the disciples, and he did not believe the other disciples' reports of Jesus Christ's resurrection.  Thomas said in John 20:25b, "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 it."  Because of Jesus Christ's love for Thomas He revealed Himself to Thomas about a week later.  When Thomas saw Jesus face to face all doubt was removed.  At that moment John 20:28b tells us that Thomas said to the Lord Jesus, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus Christ removes our doubt and fears also.  Jesus said in John 20:29b, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  We have not physically touched or seen the Lord Jesus.  We are blessed and joyful, however, because we have believed in Him.  The Lord has removed our doubt, and He has blessed us with His joyful presence in our lives.  We know with absolute certainty that He will lead us through this life into eternity! 

Because of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection God's children have His life in them.  All the wonderful things recorded in the Gospels about our Lord and Savior were written down for a purpose.  The apostle John says in John 20:31, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."  Jesus Christ is our certainty for eternal life.  Jesus Christ is our only purpose for living.  He is our joy, hope, and peace.  He removes our fears and doubts; and He is our sure foundation.  The Lord Jesus changes our lives for time and eternity!  Praise His holy and awesome name!