Jesus Assuring

“Eight days later His disciples were again inside the house, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, though the doors had been barred, and stood among them and said, “Peace to you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place it in My side. Do not be unbelieving, but [stop doubting and] believe.” John 20:26-27

Although this is not the first reunion between Jesus and His disciples, I think this one might be my favorite. One of the reasons for that is because Thomas’ reaction is relatable. Of course Jesus foretold His resurrection many times to the disciples, but Thomas still said he needed to see and feel the resurrected body of Jesus to believe. That is relatable because far too often, no matter what God says in His Word, we still ask for more and more proof. Jesus knows this of Thomas and rather than scolding him for not having enough faith, we see Jesus graciously and lovingly giving Thomas what he asked for. Jesus does this because He is loving, but also because if He does not do this and Thomas never believes, there is a great chance Thomas never goes on to reach all those that he taught the gospel to. Jesus gave the assurance that Thomas needed for the work he was called to do and in the same way, God will give you the assurance needed for you to do what you are called to. We are called to faith, which often means we will not have everything figured out, but God will supply all the assurance we need. It may seem to waver, but it is then when you must dive deep into God’s Word and you will find all the assurance God needs you to have in that season.

Jesus Reconciling

“He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you [really] love Me [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend]?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.” John 21:17

This interaction between Jesus and Peter is up there as one of the most influential in the Bible. In it we see the Great Counselor in action. It starts with Jesus showing up on the bank of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus then performs the miracle He did in Luke 5, reminding Peter of the moment they first met and when Jesus called him to be His disciple. Once Peter realizes that it was Jesus, the Bible says he jumps out of the boat and swims to the shore. Peter is on the heels of denying even knowing Christ and watching Him be crucified, now he is jumping out a boat to get to Him. Once Peter gets to the shore, Jesus moves him from the moment he was called to the moment they were separated. The Bible specifically notes that Jesus makes a charcoal fire. The only other place where that is noted is when Peter warms up by a charcoal fire, where he denied Christ three times. On top of that, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him. He does this not just once but three times. This moment also mirrors the denial with the repetition. Jesus is not being snarky or mad at Peter. He is not sarcastically asking Peter as if He is mad. Jesus knows that He must take Peter through the hard separation so that they can connect closer than before. At the end of the repeated questioning, Jesus commands Peter to feed His sheep. This shows why He did all of this. Had Jesus not walked through this with Peter, he would likely never be the rock the church was built on as Jesus said in Matthew 16:18. Peter went from feeling like a failure after the denial to being set on the path that God set before him. To apply this to us, Jesus knows all the terrible things we have done that we may think disqualifies us and yet He still has plans for us. 

Jesus Commissioning

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

We have already looked at how Jesus assured Thomas in his doubts and we saw Jesus walk through reconciling Peter in his denial. Now we see why it was important for Him to do those things. At the end of the gospel of Matthew, we see what is named the Great Commission. It is Jesus’ final teaching and His parting commands. The command is simply to go out into the world and share the gospel with all. Jesus promises to return from Heaven, but while He is not yet returned, we must live in obedience to the Great Commission. Although His time of return is not known, we must be living as if we still have thousands of years while remaining ready as if He is coming tomorrow. Simply put, we need to always be ready for His second coming while not becoming lazy and wait idly for Him. Jesus does not call His people to be lazy, but into a lifelong servanthood. We must always be drawing people to the gospel and to God. To do so, it requires us to continually go to God. We cannot lead people to where we haven’t been. Jesus achieved a close relationship with His people, we cannot take that in and not strive for others to experience it as well. Jesus says that as the Father sent Him, Jesus is sending out His people. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ first coming, God’s people are to prepare the way for Jesus’ second coming, when Jesus will come and call His people home. We must work toward the goal of sharing that message with everyone we come into contact with. That day will be a day of great rejoicing for God’s people and great sorrow for those who will not. The thought of that should spur on every Christian. There is nothing to excuse sharing with someone when their eternity is on the line. Luckily God promises to be with us as we share. So be assured by God, walk through your struggles with Him and then prepare the way, knowing God is with you always, even to the end of the age.