Revealed At Home!

April 23, 2026

Revealed At Home!

It would make no sense for the power of God’s love to raise the Son of God (Jesus) from death to life if there were no witnesses.  The one event that changes everything for our life today and for our life beyond the grave would make little difference if there were no first-hand witnesses of the miracle.

During the month of April, I would like to draw your attention to some occasions in which the Risen Christ revealed Himself to other people.  The third time is when Jesus revealed Himself in someone’s home. We hear the report from the Apostle John.

In John 20:19-23 we hear; “When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’  After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side.  Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’  When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’”

The disciples were hiding out in someone’s home.  The doors and windows were locked tight.  The disciples spoke only in hushed tones.  Fear and anxiety as well as confusion and wavering faith filled the room and their hearts.  There was little hope remaining; no one knew how to help their desperation!

Suddenly, the Risen Christ is standing in their midst.  The doors and windows are still locked tight.  At first, their fear escalates to an even higher level. 

None of this makes sense.  None of this seems to help.  None of this seems to change anything until the Risen Lord speaks.  Jesus speaks straight to their fear and anxiety; “Peace be with you.” 

The Word of God seemed to make a difference.  But like you and me, they quickly forget the Word of God and retreat into their fear and anxiety again.  Jesus notices their retreat and speaks again; “Peace be with you.”

Jesus breathes on them the same breath of life that transformed a lump of clay into a living and breathing human being (i.e., Adam in Genesis 2).  Then, the Risen Christ speaks again; “Receive the Holy Spirit.”  The very presence and power of the Lord God is poured into their hearts and over their lives. 

The disciples are witnesses of the Risen Savior.  And, it all happens in someone’s home.  Of course, we can witness the power and presence of the Living Lord during worship at the church or during a prayer meeting in the church parlor or during a Bible Study in a church classroom. 

But, let us resist the temptation of believing that the Risen Christ will only reveal Himself in holy places.  The Bible shows us over and over again the Living Lord reveals Himself to ordinary people in ordinary ways in ordinary places…like our homes.

I wonder if you would take an opportunity to invite a few friends to your home during the next couple of weeks.  Imagine reading the Bible and sharing in prayer and having a spiritual conversation.  It is in that environment with that kind of focus that Jesus often reveals Himself as the Living Christ.

I invite you to consider the possibility.  After some prayer, extend a few invitations.  Then, with an expectant and hopeful heart, engage in a spiritual conversation.  The delight that will manifest itself in you and your friends will be amazing…just as amazing as when Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples in someone’s home.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug