The resurrection of Jesus Christ reveals both His deeply personal nature and His grand purpose for humanity. Through examining John 20, we can better understand what Jesus truly wants from and for His followers.
How Personal Was Jesus After His Resurrection?
Even during and after His most difficult moments, Jesus maintained an incredibly personal connection with those around Him:
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He protected His disciples during His arrest
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He cared for His mother while dying on the cross
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He called Mary by name at the tomb
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He patiently addressed Thomas's doubts
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He met disciples in familiar places meaningful to them
What Did Jesus Want From His Followers?
Jesus wanted more than just Sunday worship - He desired full discipleship:
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Equal access to God for all believers
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Deep intimate relationships within His family of followers
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Participation in His mission to reach the world
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Living by the power of His Spirit
How Did Jesus Include Others in His Story?
Jesus intentionally included others in His grand narrative by:
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Giving Mary the honor of announcing His resurrection
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Authorizing disciples to continue His ministry
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Breathing His Spirit into them
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Training them to live as family
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Sending them to continue His mission
Life Application
Consider these questions as you reflect on Jesus's personal care and grand purpose:
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How are you experiencing Jesus's personal attention in your life?
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In what ways are you participating in His larger story for the world?
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Are you treating fellow believers as family with equal access to God?
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What next step can you take to become a more devoted apprentice of Jesus?
Challenge for the week: Identify one way you can both deepen your personal relationship with Jesus and participate in His mission to reach others. This could mean spending more intentional time in prayer while also looking for opportunities to share His love with those around you.