Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Have You Seen Him?” – Sunday, 20 April 2014 - Scripture: John 20: 19-31

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Have You Seen Him?” – Sunday, 20 April 2014 - Scripture: John 20: 19 When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 After eight days again his disciples were inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me,[a] you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.”

30 Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

Footnotes:

a. John 20:29 TR adds “Thomas,”

“Have You Seen Him?” by Cynthia K. Stiverson

In his first appearance as the risen King, Jesus anonymously comforted Mary Magdalene. So humble was His approach, she mistakenly thought Jesus was the gardener. Ironically, it was His death which overwhelmed with grief. It was not until Jesus called her by name that she recognized the Lord she loved.

Through locked doors, Jesus entered into the very room where the disciples were hiding and praying and waiting. He boldly announced his arrival, “Peace be with you!” (v. 26). He pointed to the wounds that proved He had risen from the dead.

Thomas was absent and doubted the eleven when they shared the grand news. He responded with the infamous words, “Unless I see . . . I will not believe” (v.25). One week later, Jesus honored his request. He appeared to Thomas and Thomas believed.

Does your moment of belief align with one of these scenes? What did it take, or would it take, for you to “see” the risen Christ? Perhaps you will relate to John, who was first to enter the empty tomb. Seeing the evidence all around him, he believed. Reflect on your own journey of belief. Record your Jesus sightings in your journal.

Hymn for Today:

“Thine is the Glory” by Edmond L. Budry

1. Thine is the glory,

risen, conquering Son;

endless is the victory

thou o'er death hast won.

Angels in bright raiment

rolled the stone away,

kept the folded grave-clothes

where thy body lay.

Refrain:

Thine is the glory,

risen, conquering Son;

endless is the victory

thou o'er death hast won.

2. Lo! Jesus meets us,

risen from the tomb;

lovingly he greets us,

scatters fear and gloom.

Let the church with gladness

hymns of triumph sing,

for the Lord now liveth;

death hath lost its sting.

Refrain:

Thine is the glory,

risen, conquering Son;

endless is the victory

thou o'er death hast won.

3. No more we doubt thee,

glorious Prince of life!

Life is naught without thee;

aid us in our strife.

Make us more than conquerors

through thy deathless love;

bring us safe through Jordan

to thy home above.

Refrain:

Thine is the glory,

risen, conquering Son;

endless is the victory

thou o'er death hast won.

Thought for Today:

“They said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of your speaking; for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.’” (John 4:42).

Prayer Needs:

Developing Christian leaders in Argentina!

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