Beyond The Grave

"John 20:10-31

Purpose and Power

Jesus gives them a new sense of purpose: ‘As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’ (v.21). The resurrection is the message of hope for the world. If this life were all there was it would ultimately be meaningless and purposeless. But Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. There is life beyond the grave. This gives our life on earth a whole new meaning and purpose. We are sent out by Jesus to proclaim this message to the world.

Finally, he also gave them power. He ‘breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven” ’ (vv.22–23). The Holy Spirit provides the strength and ability for us to forgive.

The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you. He gives you the power of his Holy Spirit and the power of his word to declare the message of God’s forgiveness to human beings. This is the message which brings eternal life.

Respect and Reverence

Thomas was a cynic; skeptical and full of doubt. I think I would probably have had the same response as him when he said, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it’ (v.25).

He must have felt so stupid when Jesus appeared to him and said, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe’ (v.27).

We do not need to feel guilty about having doubts. Like Thomas, we need to be honest about our doubts and bring them to Jesus. When Jesus answered his doubts, Thomas’ response was the pinnacle of respect, reverence and awe. He said, ‘My Lord and my God!’ (v.28). He said, in effect, ‘Wow!’

Jesus went on to tell him that belief leads to blessing (v.29). In fact, it leads to life. Belief and life go hand in hand in John’s gospel (v.31). If you believe in Jesus you have life. This is real life of high quality, an abundant life (10:10) that goes on forever (3:16).

John’s whole rationale for writing his gospel was 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’ (20:31). As Tom Wright puts it, ‘Resurrection is the ground of Christian hope for life before death, as well as beyond it.’

Jesus, my Lord and my God, today I worship you with awe and reverence. Thank you for giving me joy and peace, purpose in life and the power of the Holy Spirit to live within me."

1. Thank You really for the power of the Holy Spirit to live within me. May I always learn to listen to Your voice.

2. Thank You for my classes. I now recognize that this is the ministry You have given me.

3. Thank You for friends who care, who are mature enough to give proper advises.