As the Father Sends Me, I Send You
[ READ ] John 20:19–23
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, 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.
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, 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.
Biblical miracles may be categorized in at least two ways: purpose and type. Examples of purpose include restoration (e.g., healing the blind; cleansing the lepers) and judgment (e.g., the plagues of Egypt; the withered fig tree). Examples of type include the suspension of natural law (e.g., walking on water; parting the Red Sea) and creative provision (e.g., the widow's oil; feeding the five thousand). Ultimately, miracles reveal God's sovereignty and dominion over all creation.
In this passage from John, the disciples witness Jesus appearing in a locked room without entering through the door (i.e., the miracle's type is the suspension of natural law). And its purpose? Divine revelation. That leads to the next question: Why?
Why did our Savior appear in this way?
Here are three compelling answers, though there are certainly others.
1. To demonstrate the transformed nature of the resurrection body.
Many theologians, including Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, viewed Jesus' appearance in the locked room as evidence that His resurrected body was truly physical while also possessing the glorified qualities of the new creation.
2. To reveal that no barrier can prevent Christ from coming to His people.
John Calvin emphasized that the locked doors highlight Christ's sovereign ability to be present with His fearful disciples despite every human obstacle, particularly as they are commissioned to share the Gospel.
3. To demonstrate continuity with the crucified Jesus.
Jesus shows them His hands and His side so they may know that the One who entered the room is the same Jesus who was crucified, not an apparition.
I confess that I would love to have witnessed that moment. What believer wouldn't? Perhaps John included this account not to satisfy our curiosity about the mechanics of the miracle, but to deepen our confidence in the identity of the One who performed it. The same Lord who could not be kept out by locked doors could not be held by the grave and no barrier can keep Him from accomplishing His purposes today.
- Jason Rimmer
In this passage from John, the disciples witness Jesus appearing in a locked room without entering through the door (i.e., the miracle's type is the suspension of natural law). And its purpose? Divine revelation. That leads to the next question: Why?
Why did our Savior appear in this way?
Here are three compelling answers, though there are certainly others.
1. To demonstrate the transformed nature of the resurrection body.
Many theologians, including Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, viewed Jesus' appearance in the locked room as evidence that His resurrected body was truly physical while also possessing the glorified qualities of the new creation.
2. To reveal that no barrier can prevent Christ from coming to His people.
John Calvin emphasized that the locked doors highlight Christ's sovereign ability to be present with His fearful disciples despite every human obstacle, particularly as they are commissioned to share the Gospel.
3. To demonstrate continuity with the crucified Jesus.
Jesus shows them His hands and His side so they may know that the One who entered the room is the same Jesus who was crucified, not an apparition.
I confess that I would love to have witnessed that moment. What believer wouldn't? Perhaps John included this account not to satisfy our curiosity about the mechanics of the miracle, but to deepen our confidence in the identity of the One who performed it. The same Lord who could not be kept out by locked doors could not be held by the grave and no barrier can keep Him from accomplishing His purposes today.
- Jason Rimmer
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ What would witnessing this miracle have done for my courage and conviction to spread the Gospel?
+ Do I trust the veracity of the scripture enough for it to bolster my courage and conviction today, so many years after the miracle?
+ What would witnessing this miracle have done for my courage and conviction to spread the Gospel?
+ Do I trust the veracity of the scripture enough for it to bolster my courage and conviction today, so many years after the miracle?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, grow my faith as I repeat the words of Thomas, “my Lord and my God!” Let disbelief and doubt be far from me. Bring your words to the forefront of my thoughts. Give me courage to share knowing that we serve a risen Savior who is in the world today and always. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Lord, grow my faith as I repeat the words of Thomas, “my Lord and my God!” Let disbelief and doubt be far from me. Bring your words to the forefront of my thoughts. Give me courage to share knowing that we serve a risen Savior who is in the world today and always. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
+ With what friend or mentor could I discuss this passage?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
+ With what friend or mentor could I discuss this passage?
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