Jesus in John's Gospel
Monday, April 22 John 20:19-23
“Suddenly, Jesuswas standing there among them!”
AsJesus has revealed himself to Mary he now comes to the disciples. These men are gathered in fear behind bolteddoors. They are certain that sooner orlater the vengeful enemies of Jesus will seek them out, for Jesus hadrepeatedly made it clear that they would know the hatred of the world as he hadexperienced it. But then Jesus came tothem, an assurance that he would be with them forever. And his first word, “Peace be with you,” wasfar more than a familiar greeting. Itwas a truth that would last them a lifetime.
Now Jesus commissions them. As hehad earlier sent Mary forth with the message of life, so he now sends thesedisciples. They are given the missionwhich the Son was given by the Father. But they cannot begin this mission of the gospel without the power andenergy of Jesus’ risen life. So Jesusbreathes on them. As God had breathedhis life into that first man and he became a living soul, so now his Son sharesthe intimacy of his own life with his disciples that they may be a newhumanity, recreated and empowered for their mission.
You send us into the world, Jesus,empowered by your resurrected life. Amen.
Tuesday, April 23 John 20:24-29
“This time Thomaswas with them”
Thereis one who was not with them on that first Sunday evening. Thomas, the twin, had missed the firstencounter with Jesus. Ever the practicalrealist, he had been so certain they were coming to Judea to “die with him”(John 11:16). So, the crucifixion wasthe end for Jesus as far as Thomas was concerned. Thomas may have hidden in fear, gone off tobrood over the failure of Jesus’ whole mission, or turned back to his oldways. Whatever it was that cut Thomasoff from the other disciples gave him occasion to voice his deepest doubt.
So when the other disciples seek Thomas out and declare, “We have seenthe Lord,” he demands proof. We can allthank God that the “others” somehow got Thomas to come to their next “meeting”eight days later. In every generationthere are those who have patiently and lovingly built relationships of trust sothat they have been able to bring some honest seeker to the “meeting.” When Jesus again comes to the meeting of thedisciples he comes to Thomas, not with words or arguments, but offeringhimself.
I trust the witness of those who have seenyou and believed in you, Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday, April 24 John 20:30-31
“This is written soyou may believe”
Thereis no way John can put into words all the works of Jesus, those signs by whichthe glory and character of God have been revealed, particularly in hisresurrection appearances. But he hasgiven his readers sufficient evidence to believe that Jesus is the “ChosenOne,” the very Son of God, and in believing they receive life in his name.
This is an evangelistic document in which the name of Jesus has beenlifted up. The central issue for bothJews and Greeks throughout the writing has been the identity of Jesus. And as all men and women of every age readand ponder and dare believe that Jesus is the “I AM,” the Christ of God, theyare given life. But those who turnagainst Jesus in unbelief have already forfeited that life. So there is the wondrous possibility of lifein reading these words but also the great danger of rejection and death. We must read carefully and critically, forour lives depend upon how we respond to what we read.
Thank you, Jesus,for giving me your Word that I may believe. Amen.
Thursday, April 25 John 21:1-14
“It is the Lord!”
Seven of thedisciples have gone back to the well-known haunts of the Sea of Galilee tofish. These men need time to work thingsthrough. The events of the last dayshave been overwhelming. Their wholeworld has been shaken, and they are baffled and confused. What are they to do now? So when Peter says, “I am going fishing,” theother disciples join him. Here issomething they know and understand and feel comfortable doing. Even the way John refers to “the boat” ratherthan a boat indicates they have usedit before.
After fishingall night they are returning empty-handed when they see a figure on theshore. Although it is still too dark tosee him clearly, they hear him calling out to them and asking whether they havecaught any fish. Telling them to castthe net again, they do so and their net is full. John takes a long look at this man on theshore, and in the dawning of a new day recognizes him and joyfully cries out toPeter, “It is the Lord!” Jesus has cometo show himself again to the disciples and to call them from their fishing tripto their mission, which is to fish for people.
You call us intoyour mission, Jesus, and we gladly obey. Amen.
Friday, April 26 John 21:15-17
“Feed my sheep”
Jesus drawsPeter aside to deal with him personally. This is a time of healing and restoration. The question that Jesus addresses to SimonPeter – and the seriousness of the encounter is underlined by Jesus’ use ofPeter’s full name – is concerned with Peter’s heart: “Do you love me more thanthese?” This is the most importantquestion. Does Peter love Jesusunselfishly and unconditionally more than he cares for fishing with all itstrappings, or anything else? Peter’simmediate response is affirmation, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.”
Twice more Jesusasks Peter the question, “Do you love me?” without making reference to anyother matters. Each time there is apositive answer. Finally Peter responds,“Lord, you know all things.” Jesus knowsPeter’s heart, whether his act of repentance has truly brought him back inundying love. Jesus is asking whetherPeter loves him so deeply and personally that he will faithfully obey him inthe mission which he is being given. Peter is to care for all the sheep – feed the young ones, discipline thestubborn ones, and tenderly watch over the old ones.
In you, Jesus, there is forgiveness andrestoration from sin. Amen.
Saturday, April 27 John 21:18-25
“What about him?”
Jesuspredicts that Peter will die a martyr’s death to the glory of God. That eager offer Peter had made earlier, “Iwill lay down my life for your sake” (John 13:37), will be fulfilled. In following Jesus all the way, Peter willfinally be tied down and carried to his death by others. Then Peter drops back into his old impulsiveways. Seeing John nearby, he wants toknow about his destiny. What will hisfuture be? How much like Peter so manyof us are. We are so prone to want toknow about other people’s lives.
Peter’sconcern is to be about following Jesus, not John’s future. That is all in the hands of the Lord, whocould let him live until he returns if he so wills. A rumor got around that John would live untilJesus returned because people misunderstood what Jesus said. So John had to clarify what Jesus had reallysaid. What an honest and instructivedetail. People then, too, even in thebelieving community, did not hear correctly and therefore would pass onconfusing information which had to be corrected. Times have not changed.
Youknow the plans you have for me, Jesus, plans for good. Amen.