Monday, January 1, 2018

John 20:19-20 -- On a First Day of Gladness

"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord."
John 20:19-20


Imagining what it might have been like to be there, this scene with Christ and his disciples seems overwhelming.  It says "Then were the disciples glad," but that has to be a vast understatement considering what they had been through in the week previous, right?  Their knowledge of and confidence in Jesus Christ changed so much over those few days, and their hope and confidence in the future was so much more certain... not just being able to apply lessons from the past to everyday life, but firsthand knowledge of Christ overcoming death, and a chance to talk to him about it.  Beyond amazing.

I'm sure that the feeling of starting a new year is less amazing and impactful than this day was for the disciples, but I thought it was a good comparison, and maybe something that we could think about as we look forward to the new year, and the rest of our lives. :)  That hope that Christ offers is right there in front of us, always available, and if we take some time and go to a quiet place, we can also talk to Christ about all of it, just as his disciples did during his earthly ministry.

Let's hold on to hope today, and this year, and always, as we trust in Christ, and look to God in all that we do.

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