That You May Believe

John 20 presents the evidence of the resurrection. Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene found the stone removed. Peter and the beloved disciple ran to the tomb. They found the linen cloths lying and the head cloth rolled up separately. The body was not stolen. The beloved disciple saw and believed, though they did not yet understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead.

Mary remained, weeping. She did not recognize Jesus until He spoke her name. Jesus told her not to hold on to Him, for He was ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Because of the resurrection, His disciples became part of God's family. Mary became the first messenger of the risen Lord: I have seen the Lord!

That evening, Jesus came through locked doors and spoke peace. He showed His wounds, proving He was the same Jesus who was crucified. He commissioned them: As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. He breathed on them, saying, Receive the Holy Spirit, as God breathed life into Adam in Genesis 2. Thomas insisted on proof. A week later, Jesus offered His hands and side. Thomas declared, My Lord and my God! This confession is the high point of John's Gospel, which began, the Word was God. Jesus blessed future believers who have not seen and yet believe. John states his purpose: these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.