https://esv.literalword.com/?q=john+20
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 12 April 2024:
John 20:13 — Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
“Mary Magdalene could vividly remember the day Jesus delivered her from her demonic bondage. She became His devoted follower that day (Luke 8:2). She watched Him heal the sick and teach people about God’s love. Her life was transformed as she experienced the joy of being with Jesus.
Then her world seemed to fall apart! Her Lord was arrested and brutally murdered. The crowds that had shouted ‘Hosanna!’ at the beginning of the week cried ‘Crucify him!’ by week’s end. A final blow came when she went to anoint Jesus’ body at the tomb. She saw that His tomb was empty. Someone had apparently stolen His body. As she sobbed in despair, angels asked the poignant question, “Why are you weeping?” She was standing before an empty tomb! Jesus had risen, just as He had promised! Knowing that Jesus was alive put everything back into perspective, and Mary joyfully raced to share the good news with others.
The Christian life is not always easy. There are joyful moments of walking with Jesus, but there are also times when nothing makes sense and when your world seems to be crumbling. The world will mock your Lord, and you may grow discouraged. At those times, you need to peer into the empty tomb. It is the abandoned tomb that gives you hope, for it symbolizes the life that is yours from your risen Lord. The empty tomb promises that nothing, not even death itself, can defeat the purposes of your Lord. Are you weeping beside an empty tomb? (Henry T. Blackaby)
John 20:19 – 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.”
After the disciples had all abandoned Jesus, now hiding in fear and doubt, Jesus’s first word to them was “Peace.” What is your hope for, attitude towards, and message to those who abandon you, mistreat you, and let you down.
John 20:21 — “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
Yes, you are expected to live like Jesus and only do what He says.
John 20:22 — Receive the Holy Spirit.
Jesus empowers you with the Holy Spirit to do His work. He doesn’t empower you to do your work.
John 20:29 – Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Faith involves believing what is unseen more than what is seen. Faith isn’t about having faith in faith itself, believing you can achieve whatever you can imagine if your belief is strong enough. Faith is about trusting the unseen Almighty Sovereign Father to fulfill His word and promises. Faith trusts God more than feelings and perceptions. Faith is about being faithful to God because of your confidence in God’s faithfulness.
- Hebrews 11:1 — Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
- Romans 1:17 — For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
- Hebrews 11:6 — And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
John 20:30, 31 – Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 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.
The Bible is given to you to strengthen your faith. Commit to reading it, studying it, meditating upon it, and following it every day of your life from this day forward.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 12 April 2024: Pray that God will strengthen your faith to live faithfully as a testimony to your unwavering confidence in His faithfulness.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 