What Jesus Did! 'From Fear to Joy!' — John 20:19-20

Wednesday, December 16, 2026

That Sunday evening [of the resurrection day] the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! "Peace be with you," he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord!
— John 20:19-20 NLT

Key Thought

What a roller-coaster weekend it had been for Jesus' disciples. He was arrested, tried, and executed. They had eaten Passover with him and then abandoned him in his hour of need. They had been marked as wanted men: As associates of one who was viewed as a criminal rebel and crucified, they were huddled in a locked room in fear for their lives. They had heard rumors that Jesus was alive, but couldn't quite grasp it with solid faith because it was outside their normal experience or even hope. Then suddenly, he was among them. They heard his voice and were both comforted and thrilled with his familiar greeting, "Peace be with you," which is the English equivalent of "Shalom!" They saw his crucifixion wounds, and yet there he was among them. Suddenly, joy rushed in and forced out every other emotion. Each one could say, "The Lord is alive! I see him with my own eyes! He lives!" And so do we!

Today's Prayer

O God, my Father, thank you for the assurance of life I have as your child. Thank you for my Savior and Lord, who also claims me as his younger brother. I look forward so much to the day when I will see him and you, dear Father, face-to-face. Until that day, please know that I will build my life on the power of my risen Lord, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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20 Related Resources by Heartlight

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Illustration

Illustration of John 20:19-20 NLT — "Peace be with you,"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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