The Unstoppable Gospel: Nothing Can Stop Jesus! – May 2, 2025

Read: John 20:19-31

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!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
John 20:26-29

The Unstoppable Gospel: Nothing Can Stop Jesus!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

This week in our devotions, we’ve seen that nothing can stop the gospel. The gospel is the good news that Jesus died and rose to conquer sin, death, and hell for you. Nothing could be more important because those are the biggest enemies we face. But since Jesus defeated them, life should always be easy for us, and we should never feel scared or have any struggles, right?

Our loving Savior understands us. Even though we don’t have to be afraid, we sometimes still feel scared. Look at Jesus’ disciples. They locked themselves in a room because they were scared. Even after Jesus walked through the walls to show them that he rose from the dead, they locked themselves in a room again a week later. So, what did Jesus do? He walked through the walls again.

God does not want us to have doubts about how much he loves us. He wants us to know that he loves us so much that Jesus died and rose again. The walls of the disciples’ house couldn’t stop Jesus any more than death could. The disciples left with the certainty of faith that Jesus is the Christ, and through this faith, they had eternal life.

God wants you to have the same certainty of faith. He has given you family who love you enough to tell you about Jesus’ love for you. He gives you a church with pastors and fellow Christians who love you enough to tell you about Jesus’ love for you. He gives you the Holy Spirit, who lives in your heart by faith. Every time you hear or study God’s Word, you are feeding your faith, and the Holy Spirit works powerfully. Every time someone forgives your sins (like your pastor does in church) or you forgive someone else’s sins, God is there.

Jesus knows we are weak on our own. If our faith depended on us, it would fail. But our faith depends on Jesus who died and rose from the dead. Nothing can stop Jesus from saving you.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to us through your Word and the people who share your Word with us. Take away our doubts and fill us with confidence in our salvation. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What things make you feel scared? Who can you talk to when you feel scared?
• We eat food to make our bodies strong. What do you do to make your faith strong?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What are some things, places, or people that make you feel peaceful? How is knowing Jesus forgives your sins even more peaceful?
• The disciples saw Jesus and knew he was alive. Even though we can’t see Jesus, how can we know he’s alive and that he forgives us?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• People often look for peace in things like toys, games, or places. How would you tell a friend that Jesus gives you true peace?
• The disciples were afraid to share their faith at first, but Jesus told them to share it. Look up these Bible verses: Isaiah 55:10-12, Romans 1:16, Hebrews 4:12. How do they remind you that nothing can stop God’s message?