Jesus Revealed

Introduction

On the evening of Resurrection Sunday, the disciples were hiding in fear. Can you imagine the uncertainty they must have felt? Everything they had dedicated their lives to for the past three years seemed to have ended in tragedy. Their leader was gone, and the world outside those locked doors felt dangerous and unpredictable. Have you ever found yourself in a place of deep worry about the unknown? Maybe it was waiting for test results from a doctor, stepping into a new job, or facing an uncertain future. Fear of what we cannot see or control can be paralyzing, making us question our faith and security. The disciples understood this kind of fear deeply as they sat behind locked doors, unsure of what was coming next. Maybe you've experienced moments where doubt paralyzed you, where you were unsure of what the future held or how you would move forward. The disciples were not just physically hidden; they were emotionally and spiritually shaken, wondering if they were next. Their world had been turned upside down, and they didn’t know what to do next.

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” Jesus and Thomas 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jn 20:19–29.

I. Personal Peace (John 20:19-23)

“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.” (John 20:19, NLT)

A. Fear Behind Locked Doors

The disciples were overwhelmed with fear. Their world had crumbled. The doors were locked, not just physically, but spiritually—their hopes and courage were trapped inside their anxiety.

Application: Many of us live with locked doors of fear—fear of failure, suffering, rejection, or even God’s judgment. Like the disciples, we often hide, unsure if Christ’s work is truly enough. Perhaps you’ve experienced moments when fear kept you from stepping into a calling, a new opportunity, or even deepening your faith. Maybe you’ve asked yourself, "What if I’m not enough? What if I fail?"

But Jesus walks into locked rooms—both then and now. No fear, doubt, or shame can keep Him out. He does not wait for us to open the door—He enters and meets us where we are. As Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." Just as He did with the disciples, Jesus speaks peace into our fears, transforming our worries into worship.

B. The Power of Christ’s Peace

Jesus’ first words are “Peace be with you.” This is not just a greeting, but a declaration. The peace He offers is not temporary relief, but the shalom of God—the restoration of wholeness between God and man. It is a peace that goes beyond mere emotional comfort; it is the fulfillment of God's promise of reconciliation. As Philippians 4:7 reminds us, "Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

This divine peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is a presence that sustains us in hardship. Throughout history, believers have clung to this peace in the face of persecution, suffering, and uncertainty. Consider the Apostle Paul, who, despite being imprisoned and beaten, wrote, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation"(Philippians 4:12). This peace does not depend on our circumstances but on the unshakable presence of Christ. It is the same peace that strengthened martyrs, guided missionaries, and comforted those enduring personal trials. It assures us that no matter what storms we face, we are never alone. Think of the storm on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus spoke, "Peace! Be still!" (Mark 4:39). Just as He calmed the waters then, He now speaks peace into the chaos of our hearts. The disciples were facing the greatest uncertainty of their lives, yet Christ’s presence changed everything. His words assure us that peace is not found in our ability to control situations, but in His presence with us.

Personal Peace is for the purpose of public mission …

II. Public Mission (John 20:21-23)

"Again he said, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.' Then he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.'" (John 20:21-23, NLT)

A. From Fear to Purpose

Jesus doesn’t just comfort the disciples—He commissions them. The resurrection is not just about their personal peace, but their public mission. He gives them a mandate to go, to extend the message of redemption to a world still in darkness. This transformation from fearful followers to bold witnesses is a testament to the power of Christ’s resurrection.

This moment parallels Jesus’ own sending—as the Father sent Him into the world, so He now sends the disciples. This is the beginning of the church’s mission, a call to action that demands boldness and obedience.

Jesus does not call His followers to remain passive observers but to be active participants in the spreading of the gospel. He empowers them to go forth, not in their own strength, but with the assurance that His Spirit will guide, protect, and embolden them. This commission is not just for the first disciples; it extends to every believer who carries the name of Christ today. Just as He was sent to bring light into a dark world, we are sent to be ambassadors of His grace and truth. The disciples, once paralyzed by fear, are now charged with the greatest task—proclaiming the risen Christ to all nations.

Application: What does this commissioning mean for us today? It means we are not saved to sit still. We are called to step beyond our comfort zones, share our testimony, and be the hands and feet of Christ. Whether through acts of service, words of encouragement, or boldly sharing the gospel, our faith should propel us into action. Will we go where He sends us?

B. The Breath of the Spirit

Jesus breathes on them—a deliberate act recalling Genesis 2:7, where God breathed life into Adam. This moment signifies a profound transition from old creation to new creation, where the breath of God not only gives physical life but now spiritual renewal.

Augustine writes:"This breathing was not material, but spiritual; not an outward sign, but an inward power." (Tractates on John 121.3)

This divine breath is an impartation of power, a foretaste of what would be fully realized at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would come in great measure. It was a transformative moment, where the disciples shifted from uncertainty to boldness, from fear to unwavering faith. Just as God’s breath in Genesis animated humanity, Jesus’ breath on His disciples fills them with new purpose and authority, enabling them to carry forward His mission without hesitation.

This act is deeply symbolic—just as breath is essential to physical life, the Holy Spirit is essential to spiritual life. The disciples were no longer just followers; they were now ambassadors of the gospel, entrusted with spreading the good news to the ends of the earth. This divine breath represents not only their empowerment but their new identity as bearers of the Kingdom message.

Application: Have you truly embraced the power of the Holy Spirit in your life? Too often, believers hesitate, feeling inadequate or ill-equipped for the work God has called them to. Yet, the same Spirit that empowered the early church is available to us today, providing wisdom, strength, and courage. Are you stepping into your role as an ambassador for Christ, or are you holding back in fear? Let this passage remind you that when Christ breathes His Spirit upon us, He equips us completely for the task ahead.

Personal or historic story.

III. Deepened Faith (John 20:24-29)

"Thomas replied, 'I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.'" (John 20:25, NLT)

Thomas moves from doubt to worship. He goes from skepticism to surrender, from hesitation to declaration. This is the highest confession of faith in John’s Gospel, affirming Jesus’ divine identity in a way that echoes through the ages.

This moment represents a turning point, not only in Thomas’ journey but in the broader narrative of faith itself. His confession, “My Lord and my God!”, is both deeply personal and theologically profound. It acknowledges not only Jesus’ resurrection but His divine authority and sovereignty. Thomas, once the voice of doubt, becomes the model of faith—his transformation showing that doubt is not the enemy of faith but can be a pathway to deeper belief.

Application: Many of us, like Thomas, struggle with moments of doubt and hesitation. But Jesus meets us where we are, just as He did with Thomas, offering the evidence we need to trust Him fully. Have you brought your doubts to Christ, allowing Him to reveal Himself in new ways? Faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in the One who does.

So if youre not in commmunity … if your not serving … maybe thats why there doubt??

Application: True faith demands an active response—one that moves beyond intellectual agreement into a life fully yielded to Christ’s authority. How is your daily life reflecting the reality of His resurrection?

IV. The Call to Salvation

Jesus' appearance to Thomas is a powerful reminder that faith is not just about intellectual assent—it is about full-hearted surrender. When Thomas encountered the risen Christ, he responded with a bold confession: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28, NLT).

This is the response Christ desires from each of us. Perhaps you have wrestled with doubt, uncertainty, or fear. Maybe you feel distant from God, wondering if He truly sees you or cares about you. But just as Jesus met Thomas in his doubt, He is here to meet you today.

For those who have never placed your faith in Jesus Christ, now is the time. He offers peace to the restless, forgiveness to the sinner, and life to the spiritually dead. Romans 10:9 says, "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

For those ready to take that step, you can pray this simple prayer of faith. Remember, salvation is a personal journey, and faith grows over time. God meets you where you are, and as you walk with Him, He will continue to strengthen and guide you.

A Prayer for Salvation

Lord Jesus, I believe that You died for my sins and rose again. I change my mind form my way and put my faith in your way! Today, I put my trust in You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, fill me with Your Spirit, and help me to follow You. Thank You for Your love and grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

For those that prayed that prayer with belief, know that Christ has saved you. You are now part of the family of God!

Conclusion: A Call to Live as Resurrection People

Doubt and belief often feel like opposites, but in the narrative today, we see how one can lead to the other. Disciples' journey reminds us that doubt is not the end of faith—it is often the beginning. When we bring our doubts to Christ, He does not rebuke us; instead, He invites us to see, to touch, and to believe.

Faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting the One who is the answer. Just as Jesus met his disicplesin his hesitation, He meets us in our struggles, offering His wounds as proof of His love and victory. Our doubts, when surrendered to Christ, can deepen our faith and lead to the same confident declaration: “My Lord and my God!”

Reminder: Prayer is open in the chapel for those who seek further guidance or encouragement.

story for Doubt? Maybe personal, maybe theologcial

DOUBT & PEACE MAJOR THEMES!