REJOICING UPON RECOGNIZING THE RESURRECTED REDEEMER
It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with
the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with
you!” He said to them. After He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The
disciples rejoicedG5463 when they saw the Lord.
John 20:19-20
The disciples were locked inside the room where they were staying because they were afraid the Jewish leaders would have them arrested for following Jesus. They were trying to stay inconspicuous, under the radar of the religious elite by not going out among them and being holed up behind locked doors. Suddenly, Jesus was standing in front of them. He did not knock or wait for someone to ask Him the password. He just entered through the locked doors without even opening them! Jesus, the Prince of Peace, greeted them with, “Peace be with you.” He was the only One who could restore peace to their trembling hearts. Jesus verified that it was He by bodily proof, voluntarily showing the disciples the nail scars in His hands and the hole in His side where the spear pierced Him. The disciples rejoiced when they realized it was truly Jesus, and He really had risen from the dead as He had told them beforehand—which they seem to have forgotten. Their extreme sorrow at the death of their Messiah, Teacher, and Friend and their fear after His crucifixion all melted away and was replaced by exuberant joy! The impossible was made possible by the power of God. Jesus was not a ghost but was standing in front of them in flesh and blood. He proved this when He invited Thomas who had not been there when He first appeared to the disciples to touch Him:
John 20:26-28 Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”
We look forward to having perfected bodies when we are with the Lord someday. However, notice that Jesus chose to retain the scars of crucifixion to prove His love and His identity to His disciples. Remember that those scars were made when Jesus died in your place and mine on the cross. Reflect on the price that was paid for our salvation and thank the Lord.
Father, may we never forget the price Jesus paid to reconcile us to You! May we remember always that You resurrected Him to be the “the firstborn from the dead” (Colossians 1:18) which gives us the assurance that we, too, will be raised from the dead to live with Him forever! That is a reason to REJOICE!
You can reflect on the grace and love our Lord Jesus for us as you listen to Michael Card’s powerful song “Known by the Scars” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr6ji0scVyg