Jesus is the Light

“…God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5b)

Bible Reading: John 20:19-31

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.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 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.” Eight days later, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although 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, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 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.

Devotion:

When it is dark or I am scared, all I want to do is lock myself in a room. Just for a moment, that closed door fools my brain into thinking I am safe. Unfortunately, no matter where I go, I can never escape the fear my sins create.

The disciples must have felt the same way. Instead of looking for the resurrected Jesus they stood afraid, behind locked doors. But, Jesus came to them and said the words they needed to hear, “Peace be with you.” Jesus had risen. Their fear was replaced by hope.

Jesus gives us peace by unlocking the door that separates us from God. His sacrifice on the cross forgives our sins. On that first Easter night, Jesus gave the disciples the keys to forgiveness. With the help of the Holy Spirit, Jesus has given us the power to forgive those who confess their sin. There is freedom in forgiveness.

Jesus, the light of the world, took away the darkness of our sin through His death and resurrection. By His forgiveness, we are able to walk and reflect His light.

Discussion: 

1. What things make you feel safe?
2. What makes forgiveness so powerful?

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank You for shedding light on my sins so that I may confess them and turn from them. Help me to walk in the light of Your Son, Jesus. In His name I pray, Amen.