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ASSEMBLIES OF GOD


Youth Devotional

Day 48 - Jesus Appears to His Friends

 
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Video Host: David Alexieff - Montana DYD

Big Scripture: John 20:19–23 (NLT)

19 That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. 20 As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! 21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 

Big Idea:

It’s hard to imagine how incredible this moment must have been for Jesus’ disciples. Just 48 hours earlier they went home devastated with broken hearts. Jesus was dead, executed by the Romans at the request of the Jewish religious leaders. They were meeting behind locked doors because they thought the leaders might come after them now that Jesus was dead. Even though some of them had seen the empty tomb and heard Mary’s story about seeing Jesus, they were still uncertain and filled with fear. Then all of a sudden, Jesus was standing with them. Amazing! Notice what Jesus did for them, and what He does for us now: 

  1. Jesus spoke peace. Twice He said, “Peace be with you.” Jesus knew they were filled with fear and confusion. Jesus still walks into our lives to bring His perfect peace.

  2. Jesus showed them His wounds. He did this to prove it was really Him. When we remember the cross and the suffering of Jesus, we find proof of His goodness and grace. 

  3. Jesus gave them His Holy Spirit. In this story Jesus breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” In a way, this was their moment of conversion. Jesus had promised to send the Spirit of God to dwell within His disciples and He kept his promise. Jesus still gives His Spirit to all who believe in Him to fill us with life, hope, strength, and power. 

  4. Jesus sent them out. Once they recovered from their shock, it’s possible the disciples wondered, “What now? What does this mean?” And Jesus makes it clear: Just like I was sent into this world to declare and demonstrate the Kingdom, so are you. Our God is a sending God. The Father sent the Son, the Son sends the Spirit, and now Jesus sends us in the power of the Spirit to do the will of the Father. 

Big Questions:

  • What helps you when you are afraid?

  • Why were the disciples hiding when Jesus appeared? 

  • Why do you think Jesus said, “Peace be with you” twice? 

  • What do we learn in this story about the mission of God? 

Big Prayer:

God,
You find me in my fears and sadness. Thank You that You walk into the tough moments of my life and You speak peace. Help me to know the peace that passes all understanding. Thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit. Help me to receive all that the Spirit has for me and help me to walk in His power. Send me out for Your purpose and plans and give me the boldness and wisdom to know how to lead others to know You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.