Celebrate! May 10, 2025 Devotional
May 10, 2025
JOHN 20:19-22 | 19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
When the Son of the living God broke the bonds of death and conquered the grave, His first priority was to comfort a grieving friend. Then He went to relieve the anxiety of His disciples, who were on lockdown in the upper room. In fear of their lives and ashamed of abandoning their Lord in the crisis of Good Friday, they had shut the doors and pulled the curtains.
Jesus appeared to reassure and to bless them with His peace, to reissue His call to the work of God, and to share His comforting, empowering Spirit. No recrimination, no “I told you so.” Just the gracious renewal of relationship and the ordinary friendly assurance of a reunion.
When has God met you in the midst of your anxiety?
Gracious God,
Bless us with Your Spirit. Reassure us where and when we feel fear and anxiety. Call us forward to Your work.
Amen.
