We continue our study of the Gospel of John. Picking up at Chapter 20, verse 19, the Apostle John writes these words:
“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, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After He said this, He showed them His hands and side . The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” John 20: 19-20.
Luke was given this account by one of the Apostles: “While they were still talking about this (‘this’ being that Jesus had revealed Himself to a couple of believers walking on the road going home to Emmaus, about 7 miles from Jerusalem, and they had excitedly come to tell the Apostles about it. They said they saw Jesus, but did not recognize Him at first. They told this stranger about what had happened to Jesus at the Passover Feast, and what Jesus said in response to them. He said ‘ How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself. He then clearly showed Himself to them and disappeared.) It was this they were still talking about when Jesus stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and feet, and my side. It is I, Myself! Touch Me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” Luke 24: 36-39
As per usual, Jesus never did anything without a purpose. Showing Himself to these two Believers, He was providing Scripture through them to everyone as to what the Messiah was about, what had to happen, and did, at the end of His life here on earth, and showing how free He was to move about in His new body. He even ate food to show how real He was, (Luke 24: 43) and yet totally free to move as a Spirit. He did this to help His Disciples understand and accept His Resurrection. It was after He had done these things, obviously had returned to Heaven during that first day because He had asked Mary Magdalene not to hold on to Him since He had not returned to Heaven at that time, (John 20: 17), and then, after all that and much more we do not know, He showed Himself to His Disciples. They did not recognize Him at first, because He was in His new body, but with the wounds in His hands and feet, and side, and with the same voice, which is what Mary Magdalene recognized Him from, (John 20:16) He was able to calm them down enough to accept the fact that He had returned to life. They saw Him killed, but now they see Him alive. They were now ready to begin the next chapter of what they had been called to do.
They had been called to tell the Good News. Jesus lives. He is our Messiah. In Him, we have eternal life with our Heavenly Father in Heaven, and forgiveness of all things where we missed the mark. They would never run again. They would face whatever they had to, but they were totally committed to their calling. May this be true for each of us who have received the Good News into our hearts. May we walk in divine Peace as we tell those who God brings into our lives: “Jesus came that we might have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10.) He is the Way. Peace be with you.