John 20:19–20

Memory Verse

Then, being the same day at evening, the first after Sabbath, and the door being shut where the disciples were because of the fear of the Jews, Jesus entered and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace to you.” And when He has said this, He showed them His hands and side, then the disciples were glad, discerning the Lord (John 20:19–20).

Even after seeing the empty tomb and hearing the testimony of those who had been told that Christ had risen from the dead, the reality of what had occurred was still setting in when Christ appeared to the disciples and provided them with proof of His resurrection. Eight days later, Jesus again appeared in their midst while they were assembled behind shut doors. Thomas, who had not been with the disciples the first time and had said he would not believe unless he saw the wounds in Christ’s hands and side, stood in absolute belief when Christ instructed him to reach out his finger and touch His hands and His side (John 20:26–27).

The evidence of Christ’s resurrection is overwhelming. Over the next forty days, He provided the disciples with many proofs, even eating with them, demonstrating that He had indeed been resurrected out from the dead (Acts 1:3). He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve, then to over five hundred brethren at once, afterward to James, and then to all the apostles. When Paul recorded this evidence in 1 Corinthians 15:5–7, many of those who had seen the Lord after His resurrection were still alive to corroborate his statements. Last of all, the resurrected Christ appeared to Paul (1 Corinthians 15:8–9).

From a historical perspective, there is no doubt that Christ was raised from the dead. This affirms that salvation has come to men through Christ. God fulfilled His promise to Israel to take away their perversity and sins, for Christ died on behalf of our sins. To give evidence that Christ’s sacrifice was acceptable, God raised Him from the dead three days later, just as Scripture stated would happen.

We live in a fallen world, full of corruption by wicked men who seek to suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Whether through the philosophy of men, cunning words, traditions, or subjection to the elemental principles of the world—“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle”—these evil men seek to deceive in order to consume for their own pleasure. Let us not fall victim to their deception, for the Light entered the world, and those of the darkness could not overcome it. In unrighteousness, these are the type of men who killed the Lord of glory, seeking to retain their position of authority over the people. In the same way, these types of men continue to deceive all who will listen, urging them not to trust in the resurrected Lord. Yet, the Light still shines in the darkness; the day is at hand. Let us not sleep as those who are of the night, but let us cast off the works of darkness and walk properly as in the day. When our Lord returns, let us be found in Him, not having our own righteousness derived from law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness of God.