Living as Witnesses in the Light of Resurrection

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Breaks Through Locked Doors to Bring Peace

Even when we are overwhelmed by fear or uncertainty, Jesus comes to us where we are, breaking through the barriers we put up—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—to offer us peace. The disciples were hiding behind locked doors, afraid and unsure, but Jesus appeared among them, speaking words of comfort and showing them his wounds. This encounter reminds us that no matter how closed off we feel, Christ seeks us out, offering his presence and peace that surpasses understanding. [17:34]

John 20:19-20 (ESV)
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

Reflection: Where in your life are you hiding behind “locked doors” of fear or doubt, and how might you open yourself to receive the peace Jesus offers today?

Day 2: The Gift and Power of the Holy Spirit

Jesus not only brings peace but also breathes his Spirit into his followers, empowering them to live out their calling. The Holy Spirit is given as a source of strength, guidance, and transformation, equipping us to forgive, to serve, and to witness to God’s love in the world. This divine presence is not something we earn, but a gift that enables us to become who God calls us to be, even when we feel inadequate or unprepared. [20:27]

John 20:21-23 (ESV)
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit’s power rather than your own strength, and how can you invite the Spirit to guide you today?

Day 3: Blessed Are Those Who Believe Without Seeing

Thomas’s honest doubts remind us that faith is not always easy, and that God meets us in our questions. Jesus does not shame Thomas for his skepticism but invites him to see and believe, and then blesses all who come to faith without physical proof. This blessing extends to us, encouraging us to trust in the risen Christ even when we cannot see or touch him, and to find assurance in his presence with us. [21:10]

John 20:24-29 (ESV)
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although 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, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Reflection: What doubts or questions about faith do you carry, and how might you bring them honestly to God, trusting that Christ welcomes your search for understanding?

Day 4: We Are Witnesses—Living Out Our Faith Boldly

To be a witness is not just to observe but to live out and proclaim the reality of Christ’s resurrection in daily life. Like Peter and the apostles, we are called to embody the good news through our words, actions, and compassion, even when it challenges the status quo or provokes resistance. This identity as witnesses is both a calling and a privilege, inviting us to participate in God’s ongoing work of transformation in the world. [29:07]

Acts 5:27-32 (ESV)
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Reflection: What is one concrete way you can bear witness to Christ’s love and justice in your community this week, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable?

Day 5: Witnessing Is Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Not Our Own Effort

Our calling to be witnesses is not something we accomplish by sheer willpower; it is God’s action through the Holy Spirit that enables us to live out this new identity. While there is effort and intentionality on our part, we are supported, strengthened, and equipped by God’s presence, especially within the community of faith. This partnership with the Spirit transforms our witness from a burdensome duty into a joyful privilege, allowing us to point others toward the hope and new life found in Christ. [35:03]

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Reflection: When you feel inadequate or weary in your faith journey, how can you lean into the support of the Holy Spirit and your faith community to continue living as a witness?

Sermon Summary

Easter is not just a single day, but a season—Eastertide—where we continue to live in the light of resurrection. In these weeks, we remember that Jesus comes to us even when we are locked away in fear, confusion, or doubt. The story from John’s Gospel shows the disciples hiding behind closed doors, overwhelmed and uncertain, and yet Jesus appears among them, offering peace and breathing the Holy Spirit into their lives. This is a powerful reminder that Christ does not wait for us to be ready or to have it all together; he comes to us, meets us where we are, and gives us what we need to believe and to live.

Thomas, often called “Doubting Thomas,” is not condemned for his questions. Instead, Jesus meets him in his need for assurance, inviting him to touch and see. This encounter is a gift to all who struggle with faith, showing that doubt is not the opposite of faith but can be a doorway to deeper trust. Jesus’ words, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe,” speak directly to us today, inviting us to live as witnesses to the resurrection even when we do not have all the answers.

The call to be witnesses is not just about telling what we have seen or heard; it is about becoming something new. The early disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, could not help but proclaim what they had experienced, even when it brought them into conflict with the authorities. Their witness was not just words but a transformed life—a life of hospitality, compassion, and courage. This is our calling as well: to live as witnesses every day, not just in church but in every act of kindness, justice, and love.

Yet, this calling is not something we do alone or by our own strength. The Holy Spirit is given to all who follow Christ, equipping and sustaining us. Our witness is both a responsibility and a privilege, a partnership with God’s ongoing work in the world. Worship, then, is not just a Sunday event but a practice that shapes us to tell the story, to serve, and to invite others into the community of God. In a world full of fear, injustice, and uncertainty, we are called to be living signs of hope, peace, and resurrection.

Key Takeaways

1. Christ meets us behind our locked doors, offering peace and presence even when we are overwhelmed by fear or doubt. The resurrection is not a distant event but a living reality that breaks into our lives, no matter how closed off we may feel. Jesus does not wait for us to come to him; he comes to us, breathing new life and hope into our circumstances. [22:06]
2. Doubt is not a failure of faith but an honest part of the journey. Like Thomas, we are invited to bring our questions and uncertainties to God, trusting that Christ will meet us with compassion and understanding. Our doubts can become the soil in which deeper faith grows, leading us to proclaim, “My Lord and my God.” [23:34]
3. To be a witness is not merely to observe or recount an event, but to become someone new—transformed by the encounter with the risen Christ. The early disciples’ lives were changed, and their witness was seen in their actions, courage, and love for others. Our calling is to embody this witness daily, letting our lives speak of God’s grace and truth. [29:07]
4. The work of witnessing is not ours alone; the Holy Spirit empowers and sustains us. While we are called to effort and faithfulness, it is ultimately God’s action that makes us who we are meant to be. This partnership with the Spirit brings both comfort and challenge, inviting us to rely on divine strength as we live out our calling. [33:32]
5. Worship is not confined to a single hour or place but is the ongoing practice of living as witnesses in the world. Every act of service, compassion, and justice is an extension of our worship, pointing beyond ourselves to the new world God is creating. We are called to invite others, share our stories, and participate in God’s mission of love and liberation. [36:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:26] - Technical Glitches and Call to Worship
[03:21] - Touching Wounds and Jesus’ Peace
[04:55] - Opening Hymn and Passing the Peace
[08:36] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[17:34] - Gospel Reading: Jesus Appears to the Disciples
[20:27] - The Gift of the Holy Spirit
[21:10] - Thomas’ Encounter and Blessing
[22:06] - Jesus Breaks Through Locked Doors
[23:34] - The Role of Doubt and Faith
[24:59] - The Apostles Before the Council
[29:07] - What It Means to Be a Witness
[32:05] - The Challenge of Living as Witnesses
[33:32] - The Holy Spirit’s Empowering Presence
[36:47] - Worship as a Life of Witness
[38:08] - The Responsibility of Every Believer
[39:44] - Sharing Testimony and Shaping Our Story
[41:00] - Responding to Challenges and Living Our Faith
[49:55] - Words of Assurance and Lord’s Prayer
[51:07] - Offering and Supporting the Ministry
[53:55] - Prayer of Dedication and Thanksgiving
[54:40] - Benediction: Peace and Presence for the Journey

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 20:19-31 — _When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ... Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” ..._

Observation Questions

When the disciples were hiding behind locked doors, what did Jesus do and say when he appeared among them? (John 20:19-21)
How did Jesus respond to Thomas’s doubts and his need for proof? (John 20:26-29)
According to the sermon, what did Jesus do for the disciples after offering them peace? [20:27]
What was the reaction of the disciples after Jesus showed them his hands and side? (John 20:20)

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says Jesus doesn’t wait for us to be ready or have it all together before coming to us. What does this suggest about God’s character and how he relates to us in our moments of fear or doubt? [22:06]
Thomas is often called “Doubting Thomas.” How does Jesus’ response to Thomas challenge the idea that doubt is a bad thing? [23:34]
The early disciples’ witness was not just about telling what they saw, but about becoming something new. What does it mean to be “transformed by the encounter with the risen Christ”? [29:07]
The sermon mentions that the Holy Spirit empowers and sustains us in our calling. How does this change the way we think about our responsibility to be witnesses? [33:32]

Application Questions

The sermon says Jesus meets us “behind our locked doors,” offering peace even when we are overwhelmed. Can you think of a time when you felt closed off or afraid, and God met you there? What did that look like? [22:06]
Doubt is described as “not a failure of faith but an honest part of the journey.” Are there areas of your faith where you have questions or doubts? How might you bring those honestly to God, like Thomas did? [23:34]
The early disciples’ lives were changed, and their witness was seen in their actions, courage, and love. What is one way your life could more clearly show the love and courage of Christ this week? [29:07]
The sermon says our witness is both a responsibility and a privilege, and that the Holy Spirit equips us. Is there a place in your life where you feel unqualified or afraid to be a witness? How might you rely on the Holy Spirit’s help in that area? [33:32]
Worship is described as more than a Sunday event—it’s a way of living. What is one act of kindness, justice, or compassion you could do this week as an extension of your worship? [36:47]
The sermon encourages us to share our stories and invite others into God’s community. Who is someone in your life you could invite to church, a small group, or simply share your faith story with? [39:44]
In a world full of fear and uncertainty, we are called to be “living signs of hope, peace, and resurrection.” What is one practical way you can bring hope or peace to someone in your community this week? [54:40]

Sermon Clips

Receive the good news, beloved ones of the Holy One. No locked door, no overwhelming fear, no guarded disbelief can keep out God's forgiveness and resurrecting love. We are set free to keep building up a new world. [00:50:03]

That's our hope as Christians in the present moment, that the risen Christ doesn't wait for us to come to our senses and make our way to him. Christ comes to us. Christ breathes his spirit into us and even comes again to reassure Thomas. [00:23:15]

If we focus just on the first part of the declaration, we make it sound like it's all up to us and that we have to make ourselves into the witnesses, into the disciples that we're trying to be. And we know we're probably going to be lousy at it. But if we start with the second half of the declaration, that it isn't up to us at all. It's not our work who makes us who we are, who we're called to be, who we can be. It is God's action through the power of the Holy Spirit. [00:33:41]

There's a both and quality to the task we undertake, to this identity that we are claiming. There is effort on our heart, there is work to be done, a harvest to gather. We are witnesses. And there is also the support and strengthening and equipping that comes from the Holy Spirit. There is a divine presence that is with us always and is most often experienced in the community of faith that gives us the ability to continue the journey with all of its ups and all of its downs. [00:34:50]

We are witnesses does not simply mean that they are telling what they saw and what happened to them. It means that they have now become something more, something new. They have a new life to live out. They've got to live out that proclamation every day, with every word, every action, every encounter. They are witnessing to that which defines their lives in a new and profound way. And that's our job as well. [00:29:23]

We are witnesses and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him. And so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him. That kind of changes everything, doesn't it? You've got a little supernatural help there. [00:33:09]

What is the Easter event but a change in dynamic and historic form? So Easter, resurrection, it's unsettling. That's kind of a given, a foundational statement. I know there's a lot of people who can't wrap their head around it. And they get all caught up in explaining it. Maybe he was in a coma. Maybe it was somebody else that really died. But it's just too amazing. It defies all of our human definitions. It won't fit in our little box-like brains. [00:27:30]

We have to understand this is not optional. This is the response. responsibility of every single person who claims a place in the family. Beginning with the sacrament of baptism, we focus on what it means to follow Christ into a broken world and join in God's mission. Moral witness is a ministry of everyone. [00:38:08]

Worship can also invite us to be thankful for the ones who told us the story in the first place, to whoever invited us here. Whether it's a parent, teacher, pastor, Facebook link, whatever it is. Someone witnessed to the good news in a way that we heard it and wanted to become part of the family. And when we remember that we once heard it, we might end up being the ones learning how to speak it as well. [00:40:25]

Imagine, you've locked the door to be safe. And someone just pops right in. That's kind of scary. He comes first to his disciples, those who've been part of his ministry from the beginning and also those who have betrayed and disappointed him, that misunderstood him, that they just didn't get it. He doesn't wait for them to come to him. He travels to them. He breaks through the locked doors and he ministers to their doubts, overcoming their fears and giving them what it is that they need to believe. [00:22:22]

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