Week of March 29, 2024
“19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” John 20:19-20
The time this scripture is referencing was a disappointing time for the disciples. This was after the resurrection before the disciples had seen the resurrected Lord and they were discouraged. The Lord’s timing was perfect for their need. They were surprised. Surprised that’s a great word for the Christian. Have you ever been surprised
by what the Lord had done for you in a time of darkness? Maybe we need to come to the place in our Christian walk where we see discouraging moments as a prelude to the “new thing” God is about to do.
Jesus Surprised the disciples in the Upper Room. They looked at their present condition from a human point of view. They were discouraged. They had no idea that at any moment Christ would invade their gloom with hope. But He did and they were surprised. John 20:20 says again, “20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”
To see the Lord that’s our great need. Not in magnificent manifestations but in His still small voice in our life during unanticipated circumstances, in answers to questions that haunt us, in resolutions to problems which someone has told us are unsolvable. He still comes and we are glad and we feel hope arises in our hearts. As the hymn writes, I Stand Arranged In His Presence!
God Bless, Pastor Rick