21 Day Bible Reading Challenge
Day 20: John 20 - 21 Day Bible Reading Challenge
This study of John has all been about getting to know Jesus. And today we learn probably the most important fact about Him: He is alive!
Normally, when a person dies and is laid to rest, you expect the story to end. But this is not a normal story, and Jesus was not a normal man. One of the first descriptions of Jesus in the Book of John was, "In him was life" (1:4, ESV). Throughout His ministry, Jesus restored many people to health and even brought a dead man back to life. It comes as no surprise then that Jesus, life incarnate, could not stay dead.
John ends this chapter by telling us why he wrote his Gospel in the first place. "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" (20:31, ESV).
Let's read the rest of the chapter.
PRAYER
Hallelulah! Heavenly Father thank you for the wonderful testimony in your Word and for the life-giving forgiveness available to us because Jesus is alive!
John 20 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Resurrection
20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus'[a] head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,[b] “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
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,[c] 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.”
Jesus and Thomas
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin,[d] 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.”
26 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.” 27 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of This Book
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 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.
REFLECTION & APPLICATION
This isn't the first time in the Book of John that life is offered to those who believe in Jesus. But if Jesus hadn't been raised from the dead, those earlier promises would have meant nothing. Any man can promise you life and salvation, but only one Man proved that He actually had the power to give life. That man was Jesus, and death couldn't hold on to Him. It's because of that we can believe that He truly has the power to give eternal life to those who believe in Him.
If you've met Jesus, tell us about it! When did you make that decision to follow Him? What convinced you?
And let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.
We look forward to your comments and questions below!
Normally, when a person dies and is laid to rest, you expect the story to end. But this is not a normal story, and Jesus was not a normal man. One of the first descriptions of Jesus in the Book of John was, "In him was life" (1:4, ESV). Throughout His ministry, Jesus restored many people to health and even brought a dead man back to life. It comes as no surprise then that Jesus, life incarnate, could not stay dead.
John ends this chapter by telling us why he wrote his Gospel in the first place. "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" (20:31, ESV).
Let's read the rest of the chapter.
PRAYER
Hallelulah! Heavenly Father thank you for the wonderful testimony in your Word and for the life-giving forgiveness available to us because Jesus is alive!
John 20 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Resurrection
20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus'[a] head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,[b] “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
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,[c] 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.”
Jesus and Thomas
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin,[d] 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.”
26 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.” 27 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
The Purpose of This Book
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 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.
REFLECTION & APPLICATION
This isn't the first time in the Book of John that life is offered to those who believe in Jesus. But if Jesus hadn't been raised from the dead, those earlier promises would have meant nothing. Any man can promise you life and salvation, but only one Man proved that He actually had the power to give life. That man was Jesus, and death couldn't hold on to Him. It's because of that we can believe that He truly has the power to give eternal life to those who believe in Him.
If you've met Jesus, tell us about it! When did you make that decision to follow Him? What convinced you?
And let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.
We look forward to your comments and questions below!
If you found value in this post, please share your comments, questions, and prayers with us!
Discipleship Tip: Sharing is discipleship. Invite a friend to join you each day for a morning coffee and conversation about God. Click the sharing button below to get the conversation started.
Discipleship Tip: Sharing is discipleship. Invite a friend to join you each day for a morning coffee and conversation about God. Click the sharing button below to get the conversation started.
- Follow & Post
- Login
As a child I always enjoyed going to church, when I started dating my mother told me that if I went out on Sat night I had to go to church on Sunday so I did. After high School I went into he Air Force and was sent to the Philippines. After running around in the town with drinking, and women, I got tied of that lifestyle. A girl I had dated in high school told me that I would make a good minister, so I decided to go back to church on the base. Then I heard that there was missionary who had gone to Moody Bible Institute and decided I might want to go to Moody. So I talked to the missionary about that and he invited me out to his where he helped guys to grow in Christ.
While their He shared with me Romans 3:23 , It says all have sinned well I knew that I had sinned, but then he shared with me Roman6:23 and told me that the wages of my sin was death and that scared me.
We talked some more and then he asked to read a book called Reason Why. After reading the book I accepted Jesus as my Savior . In I John 5:11-13 If I have the Son I have eternal Life.
While their He shared with me Romans 3:23 , It says all have sinned well I knew that I had sinned, but then he shared with me Roman6:23 and told me that the wages of my sin was death and that scared me.
We talked some more and then he asked to read a book called Reason Why. After reading the book I accepted Jesus as my Savior . In I John 5:11-13 If I have the Son I have eternal Life.
I was in the black pit screaming for Jesus to help me .. he did one day I could feel his presence the Holy Spirit in me in my heart . People looked at me and would say I was glowing I can not explain what happened to me how Jesus made me feel safe secure reborn again I was given another chance to do right my sins where forgiving and must of all the hole I had in my heart was gone I was in fire trying and doing for God helping others ..thank you Jesus for forgiving all my sins ..
newtonlovesdonna
I was raised going to church every Sunday, but never really had a life changing experience. During my teenage years and young adult years I really fell away from God and the church. When my wife accepted Jesus as her Savior, I was present in the room and was convicted about not sharing Jesus with her myself and convicted of sinful lifestyle. I asked Jesus for forgiveness and turned away from my sinful lifestyle and my life has never been better. He has blessed me in so many ways, you can never out give The Lord. This is why I follow Him and will continue to follow Him, because He loves me/us so much. Praise The Lord!
I was raised going to church every Sunday, but never really had a life changing experience. During my teenage years and young adult years I really fell away from God and the church. When my wife accepted Jesus as her Savior, I was present in the room and was convicted about not sharing Jesus with her myself and convicted of sinful lifestyle. I asked Jesus for forgiveness and turned away from my sinful lifestyle and my life has never been better. He has blessed me in so many ways, you can never out give The Lord. This is why I follow Him and will continue to follow Him, because He loves me/us so much. Praise The Lord!
I believe!
I accepted Jesus as my Savior shortly after my husband left me and our two children. This was about 12 years ago. I have always had a desire for restoration believing that is God’s will. I have finally surrendered it to God and am leaving the work in His hands. I spoke with my ex husband over the weekend was very clear on what scripture shows restoration is God’s will. (My ex became a Christian about 3 years ago). He is not walking with the Lord but thinks he is, in my opinion. He goes to church, a bible study, and meets with a mentor weekly. His mentor is not leading him to restoration. An elder of the church has approached the mentor about scripture. I am praying for God to change my ex husband’s heart, for God’s glory & the good of our family!!
I accepted Jesus as my Savior shortly after my husband left me and our two children. This was about 12 years ago. I have always had a desire for restoration believing that is God’s will. I have finally surrendered it to God and am leaving the work in His hands. I spoke with my ex husband over the weekend was very clear on what scripture shows restoration is God’s will. (My ex became a Christian about 3 years ago). He is not walking with the Lord but thinks he is, in my opinion. He goes to church, a bible study, and meets with a mentor weekly. His mentor is not leading him to restoration. An elder of the church has approached the mentor about scripture. I am praying for God to change my ex husband’s heart, for God’s glory & the good of our family!!
I have been aware of Jesus, it seems all of my life, but grew to know Him intimately, in my adult years. I feel God has sought me my entire life, with times of responding to Him, times of ignoring Him, but once I knew how to truly accept Christ intimately have I truly become conscious of my blessing of faith and of relationship. Thank you Jesus, Word made flesh, Lord and Savior.
1 reply
Great testimony. May you walk closer with Jesus day by day.