Day 20 | January 25 | John 20 & Psalm 139

By Laura Aylward

The Tomb is empty! John Chapter 20 is where we find the joy, peace, and hope that we could not possibly recreate ourselves. After the resurrection, we encounter many emotions within each person. A loyal but devastated Mary wakes up early to tend and care for Jesus once more. The anxiety and overwhelming sadness that she may have been battling on the way to the tomb would quickly turn to fear, confusion, panic and possibly even anger when she arrives at the empty tomb. She then runs to John and Peter to tell them that Jesus is not there.

John runs quickly – he stops to look in the tomb and see the linen cloths but does not enter. What causes him to stop and not enter the tomb? Could it have been fear, brokenness, or shock? Next comes Peter, he does exactly what we would expect him to do when he arrives – he runs in. He sees Jesus is not in the tomb. John then enters the tomb and also sees Jesus is not there – they believe. In the tomb, they see that the face cloth (that once covered the face of Jesus) is not next to the rest of the burial cloths, instead it is set apart. Peter and John go home.

Mary stays by the tomb and cries. She encounters Jesus but she is overcome by her emotions and does not recognize Him – she does not immediately see Him for who He is. Then, Jesus calls her by name – she knows His voice. Pain, fear, and loss all turn to hope, joy, and triumph instantly. She sees clearly that He is alive and goes back to tell the disciples what she saw.

Mary needed to hear Jesus to know it was Him. She saw Him but did not recognize Him until she heard His voice. Mary spent time with Jesus – she knew Him and knew His voice. Do you see clearly when God is at work? Do you recognize Him? Do you know His voice? Do you spend time with Him?

Later, in Verse 20, Jesus comes to the disciples – except for Thomas. Jesus shows them His scars and they see and believe. Thomas is not there and he does not see, he wants to believe but he needs to see and feel the scars. Eight days later, Jesus does go to Thomas and allows him to see and feel His wounds. Thomas believes and Jesus says “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Like in the tomb, when the cloth is removed from our eyes – we can see Jesus and we are set apart. Knowing His voice, and seeing Him working in our lives, the lives of those around us and everywhere. We are no longer part of the cloth for the dead. We can see Him for who He is and what He has done for us.

How often do we feel that we need proof like Thomas? Maybe it isn’t because we don’t believe or have doubts, but because we want the relationship others have. We want to have had a personal encounter with Jesus – we want to see Him and feel Him too. Maybe you have felt that you needed proof to know what His plans are for you or where He is leading you.

God’s Word does not just tell us to know Him, it also tells us that God knows us. Psalm 139 tells us that God knew us before we were created. He knows our thoughts, our fears, our desires, our dreams, He knows everything. He is always with us. Psalm 139:7 says “I can never escape from your spirit” He is with us in the good, the bad, the scary, the joy and the heartbreak. Psalm 139:23 says “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” John 20 tells us that it was written so that we may see & believe and have everlasting life.

We are not alone, He is with us, He knows us, He loves us, and goes before and behind us (Psalm 139). When Jesus spoke to the disciples and they saw Him– He left them with the Holy Spirit (Verse 21). That same spirit resides in us. His resurrection gives us hope and life.

There are many people around us searching for God. They want to see Him, they want to feel Him, and they want to know He is real. When we bring others to Christ and show them who He is, how He loves them, and where to find Him, they can take the face cloth off and be set apart. We are then no longer clothed in a cloth that is of death but can see and see that Jesus defeated death and despair giving us a new life with Him and eternal life in Heaven.

During your quiet time with God today, make time to listen to His voice. Ask God to send you someone you can help see and feel Jesus. Help them know that God loves them. Let them see that you have joy, hope, peace, and a purpose because He defeated the grave and now we walk with Him in new life with eyes to see.

Heavenly Father, I pray that I feel your presence with me. I know your word says you are with me. Sometimes I am like John, ready to answer the call but then paralyzed with fear, worry, pain, or uncertainty. Other times I am like Mary, still in disbelief, overcome by my own thoughts and fears and need to hear your voice call my name. I need you to remind me I am yours and you are with me. Other times, my heart is moving faster than I can even think and I run to answer your call, ready to share or defend what you have shown me. I pray that I see you in all things and people. That I remember your words of being known are not just for me but for all your children. I pray that I remember I am on mission to make you known and to tell others how you know them and love them. That you call me to help others see you, feel you, and learn to know your voice. Lord, I pray you use me and open their eyes to see you and that they believe and have everlasting life with you. Amen.