Transformed – teen devotion – April 7, 2024
One truth shared: Jesus gives us proof and peace.
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:19-20, 29-31
Proof and Peace
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” says each player on the team to their coach who promises an “easy” practice for once.
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” says the struggling student to the chemistry teacher who promises the next test will be as easy as H2O.
“I’ll believe it when I see it,” says the parent to the teen who guarantees a clean room by the end of the day.
We live in a world that loves proof. We want to hear facts, see video clips, and learn about the evidence before we believe anything. In a time filled with fraud, phishing, and fake news, perhaps that’s not such a bad thing. At the same time, we also live in a sinful world where sinners often break their promises. Perhaps you’ve been lied to so often or heard empty words so many times that it’s hard for you to believe anyone anymore.
But can you trust Jesus? Easter Sunday tells us the answer. Absolutely, without a doubt, most certainly—YES—we can trust Jesus!
Listen to John’s eyewitness account today. The disciples were gathered together filled with fear and uncertainty when suddenly Jesus appeared among them alive! Then he showed them his hands and his side as even more proof. He really was crucified and died. He really did pay for sin. He really did rise in victory. He did everything just as he had said. That’s why Jesus could greet them by saying, “Peace be with you.” The disciples could have peace knowing that they could trust Jesus and all of his promises. The disciples could have peace knowing their Savior’s victory gave them life now and forever.
One of them though was not there—Thomas. Thomas essentially said, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” But sure enough, Jesus appeared again the following week to give Thomas the same comforts of proof and peace.
It’s easy to be like Thomas today. Our world wants proof of everything, and we haven’t seen Jesus face-to-face. How are we supposed to believe in him?
Look again at John’s words in verse 31. John was an eyewitness of what happened. He, and others, wrote their eyewitness accounts of what Jesus did so that we can believe. This isn’t fake news, a fable, or a fairy tale. These are real, factual events that really and actually happened. The apostles saw it and then wrote it for us to know and believe.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” We haven’t personally seen Jesus or touched his wounds ourselves. But others have! Jesus really did live and die for us. Jesus really did rise from the dead. Jesus really is our Savior! How blessed we are to know and believe that we have proof and peace that Jesus is alive.
Prayer: Lord, my heart is often filled with fears and doubts. Help me to read with confidence the eyewitness accounts in your Word and to trust that you really are my living Savior. Let the proof of your victory fill my heart with peace and joy. Amen.
