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Let’s take some time to really consider how we can receive Jesus,<br />
the Prince of Peace as well as the corresponding new freedom, joy,<br />
purpose and power that he alone can bring. Unlike the disciples, we<br />
weren’t in that upper room, so we don’t have Jesus physically with us<br />
– inviting us to see his hands and side and watch him eating before<br />
us. The way we receive today is through faith; <strong>by</strong> simply believing in<br />
the risen Jesus.<br />
The word ‘believe’ was clearly John’s primary concern in the next<br />
part of the story, as it appears six times – including in the summary<br />
verse for the whole Gospel, where he emphasised that he had only<br />
selected a few of the many miraculous signs that Jesus performed:<br />
‘But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah,<br />
the Son of God, and that <strong>by</strong> believing you may have life in his name’<br />
(John 20:31, my emphasis). It’s important to recognise that this is<br />
referring to more than just intellectual assent, and even more than<br />
trust in Jesus (although that’s vital), but rather a commitment of our<br />
whole lives to him.<br />
PAUSE AND PONDER<br />
Take some time to reflect on and respond to what you’ve<br />
just read. Invite the Prince of Peace to fill you with new joy,<br />
purpose and power. If you’ve not yet been ‘born again’<br />
through a confession of belief in Jesus, his death and<br />
resurrection, I would encourage you to take your first step<br />
of faith and invite him to come into your life (you may like to<br />
utilise the prayer in Appendix C). If you’ve not yet received<br />
the power of the Spirit, ask the Lord to fill you.<br />
Right now, you may be struggling to believe. If so, then the next
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