John 20:19-20
‘On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.’
Remember Jesus’ promise that their joy would return?
John 16:22 ‘but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.’
And Isaiah’s prophecy,
‘the oil of joy
instead of mourning,’
And now here it says the disciples were ‘overjoyed’ when they saw the risen Lord. This joy was to be permanent. It can never be taken, it can never be diminished. Regardless of our circumstances or our emotions, what Jesus achieved when He died and rose again secured the joy that would be our strength, never to be taken away.
Do you remember we read a few days ago that Jesus promised the disciples that their joy would come back? Well now we see that when they disciples see the risen Jesus, they are ‘overjoyed’! This joy would never be taken away, it would always be available to anyone who walks with Jesus.