Peace, Proof, Purpose

Peace, Proof, Purpose

John 20:19-31

We’re still in the glow of Easter, aren’t we? Last Sunday, we celebrated the empty tomb, and today we’re continuing the story... as the Risen Jesus starts showing up - not just to prove He’s alive, but to actually change lives.

It’s Sunday evening, the same day Mary Magdalene encountered Jesus, alive, at the tomb. The disciples are huddled together in a locked room... fearful that what happened to Jesus might just happen to them!

Of course, rumors are swirling—Mary’s saying He’s alive, but the Disciples didn’t know what to make of Mary’s claim. They were paralyzed by fear and anxiety. We’ve all been there, and done that. Because we’ve all been racked by fear and anxiety to some degree.

But, then, out of nowhere, Jesus shows up. He didn’t knock or unlock the door—He just appeared. And His first word to his disciples, was “Peace (be with you).” Not “Hey, where were you guys on Friday?” or “Why didn’t you believe Mary?”—just “Peace.” Then He showed them His hands and side, the scars of the cross, proof that it’s really Him. And John tells us... the disciples were “overjoyed.” Their fear turned to elation in an instant. Jesus isn’t just alive—He’s with thee disciples... physically standing in their presence... face-to-face.

But Jesus is not done. He says, again to the disciples, “Peace be with you... as the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.” He breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This isn’t just a reunion—it’s a commissioning. Jesus was bestowing both peace and purpose. They’re never meant to stay locked in that room—they were meant to go and share what they’d seen.

Now, one disciple missed out: Thomas. He’s not there—maybe he’s out getting food or just couldn’t handle the group vibe. When the others tell him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” Thomas isn’t buying it. He says, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands... and my hand into His side, I won’t believe.” We call him “Doubting Thomas,” but in reality... in all honestly, he’s just saying what a lot of us feel sometimes. He wanted evidence. He wasn’t ready to risk anymore energy on hope without proof.

Well, as the lesson tells us: A week later, the disciples were together again—Thomas included—and Jesus shows up, same as before. “Peace be with you,” He says, then turns right to Thomas. “Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.” Jesus never condemned Thomas for needing proof... He met Thomas where he was! In the midst of doubt and uncertainty. Thomas didn’t even need to touch; he just falls to his knees and says, “My Lord and my God!” It’s the boldest confession of faith in the whole Gospel. Doubt turned to worship.

Of course, then Jesus says something that’s for you and me: “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” That’s us! 2,000 years later, believing without seeing. “We walk by faith and not sight.”

John wraps it up by saying he recorded all this “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”

So what’s the lesson here? What should you and I take away from this story from John, today?

Well... first, I think it’s clear: the Risen Christ offers us peace in the midst of our chaos. That locked room? It’s a picture of where you and I find ourselves at times - shut in by fear, anxiety, or uncertainty. Maybe it’s the state of the world, a personal struggle, or just fear of the unknown. But Jesus steps into that space and says, “Peace.” Not a shallow “everything’s fine” peace, but a deep, scars-and-all peace (for you, “peace be with YOU!) that comes from knowing Christ has overcome the worst - and He’s here, in the middle of all our instability. Whatever’s locking you in today, hear Jesus say... to you: “Peace.” He’s here.

Second, Jesus meets us in our need for proof. Thomas gets a bad rap, but his story is a gift. Jesus didn’t reject Thomas’ questions—He answered them. Maybe you’re a Thomas today. You’ve heard the Easter story, but you’re not sure. You need something real to hold onto. The good news is, Jesus isn’t offended by that. He showed up for Thomas, and He’ll show up for you—maybe not in the flesh, but through His Word, His people, His Spirit. Look at the evidence: the empty tomb, the changed lives, a group of disciples who literally transformed from cowards, to bold witnesses, giving their very lives for Christ after seeing Him resurrected... no one willingly gives their lives for a lie. Even the way this story has outlasted empires and countless naysayers over the multiple millennia - speaks to it’s validity and Truth. Jesus invites you to reach out and believe.

Finally... Jesus sends us with a purpose. Peace isn’t the end of the story—it’s the beginning. He tells the disciples, “I’m sending you,” and He’s saying the same to us. The resurrection isn’t just a feel-good moment; it’s a mission. We’re sent into a world that’s still locked in fear, still doubting hope, to say, “We’ve seen the Lord—because we’ve seen what He has done for us.” You don’t have to be perfect to be sent—just willing. Your story, your faith, even your questions—they’re part of the mission.

So here’s the challenge this Easter season: Let the peace of Christ free you from your fears. Let His presence turn your doubts into faith. And let His purpose move you to share the Good News. Because the same Jesus who walked through walls to meet His disciples is alive today, breathing His Spirit into us, saying, “Peace be with you—stop doubting... and share the Good News.”

Christ is risen!

Christ is risen, indeed!

Amen.

Let’s pray.