The foretaste of the gift of the Holy Spirit is what Jesus imparts to His disciples on Resurrection Sunday. The Lord Jesus gives His own presence to His disciples, specifically in the illumination of the Word of God. We today also have the presence of Christ with us through the indwelling Spirit of God. We likewise have the illumination of the Spirit, and the Word of God is living and active to us as the Lord, through the Spirit, teaches us, reproves us, corrects us, and trains us in righteousness. May the Spirit’s presence be manifest in this God’s church as we, on our part, continually walk in the wisdom of the Word of God.

Upon His resurrection, Jesus gave His disciples a mission: to proclaim the gospel and make disciples—a mission that would require self-sacrifice in the footsteps of Christ. Far from being a burden, this mission was a boon. No longer were they lost at sea, adrift without a rudder or wandering aimlessly through life. Instead, they were given a clear purpose and direction: to proclaim the unfathomable riches of Christ and to lead sinners to the Savior and the new life found in Him. This has been the mission of the church ever since. We are to be and to make disciples. May the Lord open our eyes to see what a great privilege He has granted us in allowing us to take part in His work on earth.

The risen Christ showcases the blessings of salvation like gems from a treasury. Having accomplished on the cross, the Lord Jesus announces to the disciples these precious gems of sonship, worship, and peace.

Mary, who was the first to see the risen Lord, loved Him. She showed it through her dedication, her emotion, and her submission. She loved Him with a depth of feeling, but that is not where her love ended. She loved Him as she was taught to love Him, through her obedience to His commands. May the Holy Spirit warm our hearts to love our Lord who is worth of our supreme love, and may we thus sing joyfully His praises and eagerly keep His word.

John provides the evidence of Jesus’ death, burial, and the empty tomb. But instead of merely giving the evidence, John weaves the stories of the five people through whom the evidences come. These are the five witnesses seen in this passage: Joseph, Nicodemus, Mary, John, and Peter. Each of these individuals also provide an opportunity for us to reflect upon lessons of faith. May our Lord teach. us how to live as men and women of faith who trust in Christ, stand up boldly for Him, and love Him with earnestness.