Heralds Digest

   “ Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. ” John 20 : 19 - 21 KJV The major significance of John 20 is its focus on the restoration of peace to the troubled and scattered disciples of Jesus CHRIST. The unexpected end of the earthly ministry of their Lord had brought them into hiding, fear, and intimidation by the authority of the religious and Jewish practice system. Therefore, the resurrected Jesus came repeating “ Peace be unto you” , not just for mere greetings; the disciples needed a reassurance of the practice of peace to withstand the intimidation of the Jewish system. And when...

  “ Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away .”” John 20 : 13 , 15 NKJV The reverence and identification of Mary with the supposedly dead Jesus Christ, amidst the threat of the Jews, apparently attracted the appearance of the resurrected Lord. Even though angels and Jesus rhetorically asked Mary “ Woman, why are you weeping? “, they knew her sacrifice of security and comfort to fellowship with the supposedly dead Saviour. Her action represented a vivid testimony of faith, especially when everything surrounding the hope of believers appeared dead. For example, faith in the power and the presence of the Lord in the midst of our dead physical abilities, hea...