Session 8

Sunday: Resurrection Brings Restoration

From Holy Week Devotional

The greatest moment in human history has arrived: Jesus is alive! He is no longer in the tomb, and His disciples are elated—except one. Thomas probably desperately wants his friend and Savior to be alive, but he can’t bring himself to believe without seeing it for himself. Jesus was pierced by a sword in His side and nailed to the cross by His hands. Only if he witnesses these scars can he believe again. For eight long days, disbelief and hope were most likely warring within him. And then, finally, Jesus appears. 

Throughout the book of John, seven signs were given as a testimony, so that those who saw them would believe. In the upper room on this day, Thomas witnessed the eighth sign: the resurrected body of Jesus. 

Jesus goes on to bless those who have not seen these signs with their own eyes, like Thomas did, and yet still believe. If you’re reading this page as a follower of Jesus, those words are written to you—and to every believer from the time of Jesus’ resurrection to the day He’ll come again. 

While we wait for His return, the sign that points others to believe is still the body of Christ. The Church stands as a witness to all of Holy Week—Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection. God is who He says He is. God did what He said He’d do. As the Church, we get the honor of testifying to this truth. He is risen indeed! 

Journal: Have you ever felt like Thomas—needing something that helps you believe again? This Easter, you can choose to lean into the truth of Jesus’ resurrected body, just like Thomas did. Ask God to give you the hope and courage to believe again.