Devo John 20:19-29

 19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together,
with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them
and said, “Peace be with you!” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands
and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21Again Jesus
said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22And
with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you
forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are
not forgiven.” 24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with
the disciples when Jesus came. 25So 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
it.” 26A 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!” 27Then 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.” 28Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Then Jesus told him,
“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not
seen and yet have believed.”

Meditation
1. Read John’s description of the first time Jesus appeared to his disciples after
his death and resurrection. Pay special attention to Jesus’ words to them.
2. What does Thomas’s response to Jesus’ resurrection make me feel? How did
Jesus respond to him?
3. Read the passage once more. Look around Jesus’ disciples, those believing
ones; and then Thomas. Judging from where I actually am in my relationship
with Jesus right now, where will I be? As I hear Jesus speak to me, respond
to him from my heart. Let him engage me in conversation.
4. Thank God for the faith he has given me no matter if I were a Thomas or like
the other disciple.

The last words from Jesus before he die was "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  By the power of God, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.  He overcame death.  The first words he said to his disciples were: "Peace be with you!"  The disciples were overjoyed and they confirmed it was really Jesus through examining his wounds.  After we experienced God's peace and love, Jesus is sending us out and he breathed the Holy Spirit on us and said "Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

I thank God for the faith that he has given me.  I can proclaim the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ because I am convicted that I have received forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ.