“They were filled with Joy. . . “ I mean, why wouldn’t they be. But even with joy comes confusion at times. Jesus put out his hands in order for them to be able to see the wounds, which would have been a verification of what he had gone through. I wonder what they looked like? Would they have been clean? Would they have been just as bloody as they were when he hung on the cross? I know this is a g...  Read More

The disciples were very human in their responses to what was happening around them. They were deeply nervous about what would happen to them. Afterall, their leader had been crucified as an enemy of the state and as an enemy of their faith. Needless to say, they were scared, anxious, and probably had every right to be. So they did what most of us would have done, they hid. You have to remember tha...  Read More

Mary found the disciples in the place she had left them. As she came running back to them to let them know that she had seen the Lord, she must have been filled with an incredible excitement and a purpose that she had not had in a little while. Can you imagine having that information? What would it do to you? It has a fantastic and unreasonable quality that has to be recognized. She was talking ab...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe following is a guide to help facilitate discussion. Feel free to add or subtract or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.OPENThink about and share a time when you had a family reunion or you reunited with some dear loved ones. What were those moments like for you?HEADRead John 21:1-25 together and share any wisdom, insights, or que...  Read More

This story ends on kind of a strange note. John inserts himself into the narrative, almost awkwardly, and we see Jesus make a statement that then John feels like he needs to clarify. It is a little strange that this would be added in such an uncomfortable way at the end of this great story of reversal and forgiveness. But here it is, so we should deal with it. First, it is clear that John wanted t...  Read More

Jesus inviting his disciples to fellowship and share a meal signals his love for us. But he has some unfinished business with Peter to take care of. Remember, Peter denied Jesus in a pretty profound way before he was on the cross, and Jesus avails himself of this opportunity to have a crucial conversation with Peter. Throughout this story, Peter has been referred to as “Simon Peter.” However, Jesu...  Read More