“Jesus Appears to His Disciples”
The peace of God is ours when we know Jesus as Savior.
Key Verse: John 20:19-28 (NIV)
Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’”
Bible Passage: John 20:19-31 (NIV)
On 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!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! …
Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So 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."
A 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!" Then 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."
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
Lesson Thought
Can you feel the fear of the disciples as they cringed behind closed doors at the end of this confusing first Easter Sunday? Rumors of an empty tomb and sightings of a risen Jesus had them huddling together, hiding from the authorities. Suddenly, Jesus was among them with words of comfort: “Peace be with you.” Hearing these words and seeing the wounds on his hands and side convinced them that Jesus had indeed risen. His presence brought peace, a release from fear. The disciple Thomas, who was not at this first Easter meeting with the risen Lord, remained unconvinced that Jesus was alive. Eight days later, Jesus again stood in their midst. Again, Jesus first words to His disciples were, “Peace be with you.” Thomas saw the pierced hands and side of the risen Christ and with gladness of heart exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” Just a few days earlier Jesus had spoken to His disciples about His peace. His words are recorded in John 14:27: ”Peace I leave with you” - His peace is there for us to take. “My peace I give to you” - His peace is freely given. “Not as the world gives do I give unto you” - His peace is different from all others. Let us accept the special peace Jesus freely gives us and proclaim with Thomas – “My Lord and my God!”
Application: What does this lesson say to us today?
1) In the confusion of our world, fear is often our first reaction to a new or unexpected situation. Instead of immediately going to the Savior for peace of heart, we resort to worst case scenarios and fearful behaviors. Pray: “Lord, I give You my fears. Help me to turn first to You and Your Word in times of trouble. Amen”
2) Jesus promises peace to His followers when they come to Him with their needy fears and claim His peace. Keep your Bible in a prominent place in your home, and read it daily. Memorize the verse for this week. Say it to yourself several times each day.
Family Activities: putting the lesson into action
1) Ask your children when they are most afraid - before a test at school, in the dark at night, listening to others talk about war? When are you most afraid? Pray with your children about theirs and your fears. Encourage your children (and yourself!) to take their fears to Jesus and leave them with Him.
2) Make bookmarks with the family. Cut bookmark size pieces of construction paper or colored cardboard. Have each person write “PEACE BE WITH YOU!” on several of the bookmarks, and decorate them with pictures, stickers, drawings, stampings, etc. Put these reminders wherever your family needs them - at the bedside, in a backpack, in a math book, in a library book, on the refrigerator, etc.
3) Put notes of reassurance and love in everyone’s lunches (adults included!) this week. In each note, include the words “PEACE BE WITH YOU!”
Suggestions for further study
Ephesians 2:14-18
Philippians 4:4-9
John 14:27
Bonnie Russell
