John, Chapter 20

John 20

In summary --

This is the simple story of the resurrection. Mary finds the tomb has been opened and tells the disciples. Peter and John check it out -- yep, it's empty, and they leave to tell the others. Mary looks in the tomb and sees two men (angels) where Jesus' body had been; then she turns and sees Jesus.

Later, Jesus appears to the disciples (in a locked room) to show them that he has risen and is alive. He gives them his peace and the Holy Spirit and sends them out to continue the work.

My favorite verse --

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.

John wants us to know that Jesus is God. He has written this account so that we might believe.
We need to remember that as we read John's gospel -- it is more about teaching that Jesus is God than it is about history. Although the events happened and the teaching of Jesus is true, they are not recorded from the standpoint of an historical perspective, but to teach us that God loves us so much that he became one of us so that we could understand that.

Something to think about --

The resurrection (re-birth) of Jesus was much like his birth. It happened quietly and few people knew about it. Angels announced his birth to shepherds who had such a poor reputation for telling the truth that they weren't even allowed to testify in court. At the tomb, the angels appeared to Mary and then Jesus appeared to her -- a woman! A woman's word was worth less than the word of a lying shepherd!
It is difficult for me to grasp that I have been chosen to tell people that God loves them and Jesus died for them. But then again, it seems that God has a habit of choosing unlikely messengers. If you follow Jesus' teachings and believe he is the Son of God, he has chosen you, as well!
He has chosen you for heaven, and he has chosen you to share this simple message -- God loves you and Jesus died for you!

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