“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then, the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.”

John 20:19-20 (ESV)

Throughout the story of the Resurrection, we hear many stories of the empty tomb. Earlier in this chapter, Peter and John race to the tomb when they were told that Jesus’ body was gone. Later on, Mary Magdalene weeps as she sees Jesus’ resurrected body. However, this moment stands out in the story of the resurrection.

The times Jesus appeared to people before this, He told them not to touch Him. In this case, He shows the disciples His scars, the holes in His hands and His feet, the wound the spear made when Jesus was stabbed while on the cross.

This appearance proves that Jesus physically rose from the dead. This wasn’t a ghost or a spirit. It wasn’t a mass hallucination. Jesus physically appeared and they were able to touch Him and see His scars. Jesus repeatedly told His disciples that He would be killed and resurrected three days later. Instead, they denied it. Peter even pulled Jesus aside and rebuked Him for saying such things.

However, now standing before them, they see what Jesus was saying. They have physical proof of who Jesus is. He is the risen king. The one prophesied about in the Old Testament. The one who himself foretold his resurrection.

He is the Messiah, the King, the Son of God and the second person of the Trinity standing before them in human form. He is the perfect sacrifice for our sin now resurrected and, as shown in His ascension, in heaven with the Father. As the Apostles testify, He is interceding on our behalf before God. He is both our Priest and our Sacrifice. All of this is proven by His resurrection. All of this is right in front of the disciples in this room for them to see.

This week, turn your heart to the risen King. He is our only hope for salvation.