Sometimes, despite what is set before us, proof is what we need. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
John 20:20 CEB
[20] After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy.
Joyous Proof
It is important to note that although John doesn’t say that those disciples disbelieved, he does tell us that Y’shua showed them His hands and side. A friend of mine would say, ‘No shade, but they didn’t believe until they actually saw His scars.’
Self-Check
Would you have required proof that the person before you was Y’shua? Why/ not?
Application
I’m not sure it was that bad, but I wasn’t there, and John’s not telling.
The issue is worth considering, though, because Mary Magdalene had actually mistaken Him for the gardener. We could justify that by saying she was distraught. And by extension, the same excuse could hold away. However, I hope we do realize that Mary Magdalene went immediately to tell Peter about the empty tomb. So it’s highly likely that having been so instructed, she’d have shared her experience of Y’shua with them.
If that was so (and we’ve no reason to suspect otherwise, especially since we have ‘proof’ that she went directly to them (see verse 18) and shared everything), then there is real reason to question that scene.
Unless …
… He wasn’t so much proving that He was Himself, as it was a ‘show and tell’ with His boys. Sounds a tad bit implausible, doesn’t it? Well, there is that.
It’s also worth remembering that the room doors were locked, not just shut (see verse 19). Remember, too, that Y’shua spoke to them directly. He gave them His Peace. Perhaps it was that they were less distraught and more shocked or in great fear. These are the same disciples who thought Y’shua was a ghost when He walked on water (see John 6:16-20). In their heightened state of trauma, Y’shua was probably not on their minds – despite Mary Magdalene’s great news.
What it does tell us is that Y’shua was more than willing to reveal His resurrected self to the disciples.
It had the perfect effect. They were immediately joyous.
Could John have included this tidbit for those of us who are seeking proof of YHWH’s and Y’shua’s existence when we’re sitting by the open tombs of life?
I believe so.
As we navigate this earthly journey, there are so many moments that could bring about despondency or despair. In those moments, regardless of the many testimonies from others – even our close peeps – is hard to accept/ believe that God cares.
My prayer for us is that we will experience the resurrected Saviour for ourselves in such moments.
Point to Ponder
May we believe and be joyous as we touch those wound marks and hear Y’shua offering us His Peace.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
