April 13
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.” 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.”24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
– John 20:19-25
JOHN 20 THE GIFT OF PEACE & THE HOLY SPIRIT
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When Jesus visited his disciples who were in hiding
He gave them his peace and he was very reassuring
But the greatest gift is the Holy Spirit whom he breathed on them
Now they have the faith to believe everything he taught them.
When Jesus died on the cross, the disciples must have been devastated and scared. They followed Jesus for three years and now he is gone. They have left all their responsibilities to follow him and now what is going to happen to them. The Jewish leaders are still hunting those who were Jesus’ followers. They must have been so confused and lost without their Master. They didn’t even remember all the teachings that he taught them because they were all concerned for their lives and safety as well. Imagine their surprise when Jesus showed up in their midst. Now all the promises Jesus told them are happening. He rose from the dead and gave them his peace and his own Spirit. What a relief that would have been. It must have alleviated all their fears and doubts because now they have the Holy Spirit to reveal and remind them all they have learned from Jesus.
REFLECTION
• Share some experiences you have that manifested the gift of peace and wisdom.
