Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After He said this, He showed them His hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.” And with that, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
– John 20:24-29
Devotion
There are two accounts of the first Sunday evening appearance of Jesus to His disciples. (Luke 24:36-49 and John 20:19-23) Luke’s account reports that the disciples were “startled and frightened.” Once they realized that it was really Jesus, they were “overjoyed.” The disciples received from Jesus an initial bestowal of the Holy Spirit. The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) would bring the full bestowal of the Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus. Thomas was not present at this encounter.
The Big Question
What was the disciple’s first reaction to seeing Jesus? Why do you believe they reacted this way? How would you have reacted? After showing them His wounds and explaining how the Scriptures testified of Himself, their fear turned to joy! Why? How does the reality of Jesus resurrection dispel all your fears?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.