April 20th, 2026
by Matthew Spoon
by Matthew Spoon
5-Day Easter Devotional: Seeing Jesus
Day 1: Seeing Jesus Through Your Confusion
Reading: John 20:1-10
Devotional: When Peter and John ran to the empty tomb, they encountered something their minds couldn't immediately comprehend. The grave clothes lay undisturbed, folded neatly—evidence of something supernatural. Like these disciples, we often face situations that confuse us, where God's ways seem unclear. Yet verse 8 tells us John "saw and believed" even before fully understanding. You don't need all the answers to trust Jesus. The resurrection settles every philosophical debate and religious question. When life feels chaotic, look to the empty tomb. Jesus conquered death itself—He can certainly bring clarity to your confusion. Faith begins not with complete understanding, but with seeing Jesus and choosing to believe.
Reflection Question: What confusion in your life needs the clarity that only the resurrected Christ can provide?
Day 2: Seeing Jesus Through Your Tears
Reading: John 20:11-18
Devotional: Mary stood outside the tomb weeping—the Greek word suggests she was wailing, overcome with grief. She had lost everything. Her tears blurred her vision so much she couldn't even recognize Jesus standing before her. But when He spoke her name—"Mary"—everything changed. Sorrow turned to joy in an instant. Whatever sadness you're carrying today, Jesus sees you in it. The resurrection means your tears are not the end of the story. Death couldn't hold Jesus, and your circumstances can't hold back His power to restore and redeem. No matter how hopeless your situation feels, the One who conquered the grave can speak peace into your pain. Let Him call your name today.
Reflection Question: What grief or sadness do you need to bring before the risen Savior?
Day 3: Seeing Jesus Through Your Fears
Reading: John 20:19-23
Devotional: The disciples huddled behind locked doors, paralyzed by fear. They had watched their hope die on a cross, and now they feared for their own lives. Into this atmosphere of terror, Jesus appeared with one word: "Peace." The resurrection changes everything about our fears. Jesus didn't just survive death—He defeated it completely. When you're afraid, remember that the same Jesus who walked through locked doors can enter any situation you face. His first gift to fearful people is peace—not just future peace in heaven, but present peace for today. The nail-scarred hands that He showed the disciples are the same hands holding you right now. What the world cannot give, and cannot take away, Jesus freely offers: peace in the midst of your storms.
Reflection Question: What locked doors of fear in your life need Jesus to walk through today?
Day 4: Seeing Jesus Through Your Emptiness
Reading: John 20:21-22; Matthew 28:18-20
Devotional: After the resurrection, the disciples faced a crisis of purpose. Their leader was gone—what now? But Jesus didn't leave them empty. "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you," He declared, breathing the Holy Spirit upon them. The resurrection gives your life meaning. You're not wandering aimlessly—you have a divine commission. Every Christian is called to share the good news that death has been defeated. Your life has eternal significance because the risen Christ lives in you and sends you out. Whether at work, home, or in your community, you carry the greatest news in human history. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead empowers you to live with purpose today. You are sent by the risen King.
Reflection Question: How is God calling you to share the resurrection hope with others in your daily life?
Day 5: Seeing Jesus Through Your Doubt
Reading: John 20:24-31
Devotional: Thomas refused to believe without evidence. We often judge him harshly, but his honest doubt led to profound faith. When Jesus appeared, Thomas didn't need to touch the wounds—seeing was enough. He declared, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus spoke words for us: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." You may not physically see Jesus, but the evidence surrounds you. The transformed lives of the disciples, the spread of Christianity against impossible odds, the empty tomb that enemies couldn't dispute—all point to one truth: Jesus is alive. John wrote his Gospel "that you may believe...and that believing you may have life in His name." Your faith isn't blind—it's based on reliable testimony and the Spirit's witness in your heart. Trust the evidence. Believe in the risen Savior.
Reflection Question: What doubts do you need to bring honestly before Jesus, trusting He will meet you there?
Closing Prayer for the Week: Risen Lord Jesus, thank You for conquering death and the grave. Help me see You clearly—through my confusion, tears, fears, emptiness, and doubts. Transform my life as You transformed the disciples. Give me living faith in a living Savior. May the power of Your resurrection work in me daily, bringing clarity, comfort, peace, purpose, and confident belief. In Your victorious name, Amen.
Day 1: Seeing Jesus Through Your Confusion
Reading: John 20:1-10
Devotional: When Peter and John ran to the empty tomb, they encountered something their minds couldn't immediately comprehend. The grave clothes lay undisturbed, folded neatly—evidence of something supernatural. Like these disciples, we often face situations that confuse us, where God's ways seem unclear. Yet verse 8 tells us John "saw and believed" even before fully understanding. You don't need all the answers to trust Jesus. The resurrection settles every philosophical debate and religious question. When life feels chaotic, look to the empty tomb. Jesus conquered death itself—He can certainly bring clarity to your confusion. Faith begins not with complete understanding, but with seeing Jesus and choosing to believe.
Reflection Question: What confusion in your life needs the clarity that only the resurrected Christ can provide?
Day 2: Seeing Jesus Through Your Tears
Reading: John 20:11-18
Devotional: Mary stood outside the tomb weeping—the Greek word suggests she was wailing, overcome with grief. She had lost everything. Her tears blurred her vision so much she couldn't even recognize Jesus standing before her. But when He spoke her name—"Mary"—everything changed. Sorrow turned to joy in an instant. Whatever sadness you're carrying today, Jesus sees you in it. The resurrection means your tears are not the end of the story. Death couldn't hold Jesus, and your circumstances can't hold back His power to restore and redeem. No matter how hopeless your situation feels, the One who conquered the grave can speak peace into your pain. Let Him call your name today.
Reflection Question: What grief or sadness do you need to bring before the risen Savior?
Day 3: Seeing Jesus Through Your Fears
Reading: John 20:19-23
Devotional: The disciples huddled behind locked doors, paralyzed by fear. They had watched their hope die on a cross, and now they feared for their own lives. Into this atmosphere of terror, Jesus appeared with one word: "Peace." The resurrection changes everything about our fears. Jesus didn't just survive death—He defeated it completely. When you're afraid, remember that the same Jesus who walked through locked doors can enter any situation you face. His first gift to fearful people is peace—not just future peace in heaven, but present peace for today. The nail-scarred hands that He showed the disciples are the same hands holding you right now. What the world cannot give, and cannot take away, Jesus freely offers: peace in the midst of your storms.
Reflection Question: What locked doors of fear in your life need Jesus to walk through today?
Day 4: Seeing Jesus Through Your Emptiness
Reading: John 20:21-22; Matthew 28:18-20
Devotional: After the resurrection, the disciples faced a crisis of purpose. Their leader was gone—what now? But Jesus didn't leave them empty. "As the Father has sent Me, I also send you," He declared, breathing the Holy Spirit upon them. The resurrection gives your life meaning. You're not wandering aimlessly—you have a divine commission. Every Christian is called to share the good news that death has been defeated. Your life has eternal significance because the risen Christ lives in you and sends you out. Whether at work, home, or in your community, you carry the greatest news in human history. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead empowers you to live with purpose today. You are sent by the risen King.
Reflection Question: How is God calling you to share the resurrection hope with others in your daily life?
Day 5: Seeing Jesus Through Your Doubt
Reading: John 20:24-31
Devotional: Thomas refused to believe without evidence. We often judge him harshly, but his honest doubt led to profound faith. When Jesus appeared, Thomas didn't need to touch the wounds—seeing was enough. He declared, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus spoke words for us: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." You may not physically see Jesus, but the evidence surrounds you. The transformed lives of the disciples, the spread of Christianity against impossible odds, the empty tomb that enemies couldn't dispute—all point to one truth: Jesus is alive. John wrote his Gospel "that you may believe...and that believing you may have life in His name." Your faith isn't blind—it's based on reliable testimony and the Spirit's witness in your heart. Trust the evidence. Believe in the risen Savior.
Reflection Question: What doubts do you need to bring honestly before Jesus, trusting He will meet you there?
Closing Prayer for the Week: Risen Lord Jesus, thank You for conquering death and the grave. Help me see You clearly—through my confusion, tears, fears, emptiness, and doubts. Transform my life as You transformed the disciples. Give me living faith in a living Savior. May the power of Your resurrection work in me daily, bringing clarity, comfort, peace, purpose, and confident belief. In Your victorious name, Amen.
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