Scripture to Read: John 20:19–20
After Mary went and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, we read in John 20:19, “So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be with you.’”The disciples were in a locked room and Jesus had just appeared, so there is no doubt they were initially frightened and shocked. That is probably why the first thing Jesus said to them was, “Peace be with you.” Jesus wanted them to know He was real, so the next thing God had John record is this: “And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord,” John 20:20. Jesus assured them that He was real and had risen from the dead. God did not have John record Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples, but God had Mark record it in Mark 16:14, “Afterward He appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He reproached them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen.” The disciples had not believed Mary and others who had reported seeing Jesus. There will be times of doubt in our lives, but we must go to God’s Word for the answers we lack. God’s Truth will set us free (John 8:31–32).
Challenge & Application
• How did Jesus comfort the frightened disciples, and how does He comfort us today?
• What must we do when we face times of fear and doubt to be able to overcome them both?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!