“Peace, Proof and Patience” | The Gospel of John | The Gospel of John

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, (John 20:19a)

Don’t let the fear of others cause you to hide your faith.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19b)

“Man had declared war on God, but God would declare “Peace!” to those who would believe.” – Warren Wiersbe

20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. (John 20:20)

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 20:21-23)

Our faith prompts us to display, unveil, demonstrate, promote, and proclaim.

Now Thomas (also known as the Twin), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “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.” (John 20:24-25)

It’s okay to have doubts and questions.

Jesus meets us in the midst of our circumstances.

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:26-27)

Jesus is kind, loving, and patient.

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”  (John 20:28)

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)