Be Found in His Presence

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”

John 20:19

He is risen. The tomb is empty. John chapter twenty invites you into the world in which He is risen. He appears to His disciples and to Mary during this time. This represents so much more. It represents how He shows Himself to you today.

His rising may be one that is challenging to understand. How amazing it is though, that because of it you are able to have a personal relationship with Him and the Father. John 20:9 states: They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead. His followers had a hard time understanding it. It's okay to have a hard time. It's just maybe not okay to stay there. At least, He does not want you to stay there. It is okay to have a hard time with depression and anxiety, it's not okay to stay there. And again: He does not want you to stay there. He wants so much more for you than for you to stay in that place of misunderstanding.

Mary is grieving, as evident in her tears as the angels speak to her. John 20: 13 reads: They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." The experiences of depression and anxiety may appear to have taken Him away. The separation from Him that comes from the reactions to depression and anxiety. The reaction to yourself, or the reaction to those around you. The experiences of depression and anxiety may lead to grief, in the form of loss of your understanding, loss of your motivation, interest, hopes, and dreams. In this chapter of John, though, you see how quickly her grief is turned around when He comes near to her. "At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus" John 20:14. In her moment of need, He showed Himself to her. She only needed to believe. "He asked her, 'woman why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?' Thinking he was just the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means "Teacher")" John 20:15-16.

Thomas was told by others that He had risen and shown Himself to them. Thomas was unwilling to accept this until he saw Him for himself. Jesus appeared to Thomas and showed Himself to him. Jesus was not unwilling to do this for Thomas, but it was not without the reminder and possibly the consequence of showing Thomas that He saw where his faith was. "Then Jesus said to him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed'" John 20:29. Throughout the experiences of depression and anxiety He is showing Himself. He is present during these times, whether you take notice of Him or not. He is present in these moments, whether or not it is obvious. Whether or not you can put your hands in the place of the nails and the spear, He is present.

Both Mary and Thomas had different experiences with Jesus. At times each of you are Mary or Thomas. At times each of you, are the disciple being the first to the tomb and the last. At times you are the ones locked in a room out of fear, only to be met with His presence. Depression and anxiety may play a role in which one of these scenarios you end up in, at any given time. What depression and anxiety should not do, is keep you from believing in Him and being open to His presence.

Scripture:

John 20

John 20:9

John 20:13

John 20:14

John 20:15-16

John 20:19

John 20:29

Questions:

How have you been both Mary and Thomas?

How does His presence change your experience with depression and anxiety?

What keeps you from seeing Him when He is near?

Prayer:

Lord, Father God, Thank you for sending your son. Thank you for emptying the tomb so that we can believe. Lord, I pray for those who are experiencing depression and anxiety right now. Lord, the tomb was made empty so that we did not have to feel this emptiness. Father I pray that the healing of your hands brings comfort to those in need. I pray for those who need to see to restore their faith. And I pray for those who are struggling. Father God, Thank you for all that you do. For all that you are. And for all that you continue to be. I ask this and give thanks in your son's name. Amen.