Daily Bible Reading (Wednesday, May 2nd)

12

John 20 (ESV)

The Resurrection

20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus'[a] head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,[b] “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews,[c] Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Jesus and Thomas

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin,[d] was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of This Book

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

Footnotes:

  1. John 20:7 Greek his
  2. John 20:16 Or Hebrew
  3. John 20:19 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time
  4. John 20:24 Greek Didymus

12 Comments

HE IS ALIVE!!!! So thankful to know that my savior lives!

i took notice how Christ offered peace "peace be with you." to me that is such a great gift that as a daughter, i now have access to the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. when i was a pagan life was very stressful, peace was not with me. Thank you Lord!

You never get tired of hearing the story of Jesus' resurrection. Jesus conquered death for us and rose triumphant from the grave. Praise God! Moreover, I praise God that whose who believe but didn't get to touch His hands and side are blessed with eternal life. How awesome!

Verse 29, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” I am humbled to think how blessed we truly are if we find ourselves fitting into this category. Our belief has not been because we are better than anyone else who does not believe, but only because of the work of grace that God has wrought upon our hearts!

Thankful that The Lord rose from the dead and that He has given us the privilege to be sent out in His name just as He was sent out in His Father’s name. Praying that the reality of a Risen Lord and our mission to represent Him in this world would be on the forefront of all of our minds and hearts today!

“Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thankful for this simple statement by our Lord that reminds my heart to put off doubt and put on truth! Fixing my hope on His promises and His coming glory!

"But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." This serves as a quick summary of the gospel - believe in Jesus as the Son of God and you'll get eternal life. I pray that I'll be faithful to share this good news with those around me. Praise God for His amazing grace!

but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

I have life in His name, where as I once had only death and evil I now have life and peace and joy and hope. He is risen, and death has been defeated. The shackles of sin break off and we have freedom!

It is a blessing to believe even though I have not seen the Lord but I am looking forward to that day when I too can say, "I have seen the Lord." I want to live everyday like it could be that day. Maranatha!

Seeing Thomas’ reaction to Jesus appearing in the flesh makes me excited to think that one day we will have the same experience and a very similar reaction. “My Lord and My God”.

Jesus commissioned his disciples to go and make disciples. One of the ways John did this was by writing this book “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.“ I believe! I believe! I believe! And I have eternal life in Him! Oh, that I would share this news today as if it were the first day I ever believed. Thanks for the book, John!

Verse 31, “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Praise God for sending his son Jesus to die on the cross and rise from the dead thus rescuing me from my sin! Thank you Lord for opening my eyes so that one day I’ll be united with you in heaven for eternity.

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