The Unforgettable First Day: Why Sunday Still Matters
"Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week..." John's simple statement in John 20:19 carries a weight of significance that echoes through the centuries. I shared this during our sunrise service last Sunday, and it’s a truth I feel compelled to revisit: understanding the importance of this specific day, the first day of the week, is foundational to our faith.
Mark’s Gospel provides a crucial detail, stating in Mark 16:1, “Now when the Sabbath was past.” The Jewish Sabbath, observed on Saturday, had ended. This unequivocally places the momentous events John describes on a Sunday.
Think about the timeline. Jesus was hastily placed in the tomb on Friday, just before the Sabbath began at sundown. He lay there through Saturday. Then, on Sunday, before the dawn had fully broken, He rose! This resurrection marked the end of the old covenant’s Sabbath, a day tied to the law and the cessation of work.
Now, something new had dawned. Instead of the week ending in rest, it began with resurrection! John, later in Revelation 1:10, gives this day its rightful title: "I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day." Sunday, the first day, became the Lord’s Day, a testament to the finished work of redemption, the dawn of the “new creation” in Christ.
And what happened on this pivotal first Lord’s Day evening?
“...when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled…”
This word "assembled" holds profound meaning. The Greek word "ekklesia," often translated as "church," literally means "an assembly." So, when the Bible speaks of assembling, it speaks of the very essence of the church – believers coming together.
These assemblies are not mere social gatherings; they are vital times of worship, of deepening our understanding of God, of offering mutual encouragement, of sharing in fellowship, and of remembering the sacrifice and triumph of Jesus. The scriptures repeatedly emphasize the importance of not neglecting these times together (Hebrews 10:25).
These gatherings are the bedrock of our spiritual growth, the source of mutual support in our journeys, and the tangible expression of our Christian faith lived out in community. Jesus Himself promised His presence in these gatherings: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).
And that is precisely what unfolded in that locked room: “…Jesus came and stood in the midst…”
The doors weren't just closed; the Greek word suggests they were barred, locked tight. Fear gripped the disciples, fear of the temple police, the enforcers who had just arrested and executed their Lord. They were terrified, huddled together, padlocked inside.
But they were together.
This scene beautifully illustrates the truth of 1 Corinthians 12:25-27, where Paul speaks of the body of Christ: “that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
Just as a physical body functions with each part caring for the others, so too should the church. Their shared fear drew them together, and in their unity, Jesus appeared, fulfilling His promise.
How did He enter a locked room? The simple answer: He is God. The resurrected Christ possessed a glorified body, capable of things beyond our current understanding. Perhaps He rearranged the very molecules, passing through the barrier as easily as He had passed through the grave clothes.
And His first words? “…“Peace be with you.”” He then showed them the irrefutable evidence of His sacrifice: “…He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” The Greek word for "glad" signifies an exceeding joy, an overwhelming relief.
Jesus reiterated, “Peace to you!” Luke’s account in 24:36-43 adds powerful details. They were initially terrified, thinking they saw a ghost. But Jesus reassured them, showing His scars, inviting them to touch Him, and even eating with them. This wasn't a phantom; this was the resurrected, physical Christ. His initial word of "peace" calmed their fear, and His second declaration likely sought to temper their exuberant joy as He prepared to give them their mission.
“As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” He then breathed on them and said, “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.”
Think about the Father’s mission for Jesus: to seek and save the lost (Matthew 1:21, John 3:16-17, 1 Timothy 1:15). And now, Jesus, having accomplished that mission through His death and resurrection, commissions His followers to carry that same message, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Everything we do as believers – our ministries, our worship, our study of the Word, our witness – flows from this commissioning, a testament to lives transformed by the good news of Jesus.
But the story doesn't end there. Verses 24-29 introduce us to Thomas, who missed that pivotal first Sunday gathering. He stubbornly declared, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
A week later, the disciples were together again, and this time, Thomas was with them. Once more, despite the locked doors, Jesus appeared, offering Thomas the very proof he demanded. Thomas’s response was a powerful declaration: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus’ gentle rebuke followed: “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Dr. Warren Wiersbe wisely noted that Thomas serves as a powerful warning against neglecting the assembly of God’s people on the Lord’s Day (Hebrews 10:22-25). Because he was absent, Thomas missed the initial encounter with the resurrected Christ, the words of peace, and the commissioning. He endured a week of doubt and fear that could have been filled with joy and peace. His experience should resonate with us when we are tempted to stay home. We never know what special blessing we might miss.
In closing:
Assembling together, going to church, is not just a religious obligation or a mere tradition; it is a vital practice for those who call themselves Christians. The very first day of the week, the day of resurrection, Jesus made it a point to appear to His gathered disciples. He did it again the following Sunday. If the resurrected Christ prioritized meeting with His people, shouldn't we?
Church is a place of refuge and unity. The disciples, terrified, found solace and strength in their togetherness. In times of difficulty and fear, the church provides that same vital community.
Church is a place to receive peace and commissioning. Jesus’ first words were "Peace be with you," and He then equipped them for their mission. In our gatherings, we receive that same spiritual peace, are reminded of Christ's sacrifice, and are empowered for service.
Missing church can lead to missing out on vital encounters with Jesus and His blessings. Thomas’ absence cost him a week of doubt and the initial joy of the resurrection encounter. Let his story be a potent reminder.
How important is church to you?
For my fellow Christians: Think about Thomas. John 11:16 portrays him as courageous, yet he missed so much in just one week of absence. We all have legitimate times of absence, but consider the times you’ve simply chosen to stay away. What blessings, what encounters with God, what encouragement from your brothers and sisters have you missed? If you desire to grow closer to God, would you commit to taking the assembling of believers seriously from this day forward?
For those who may not yet know Christ: Everyone lives by faith; the difference lies in the object of that faith. If you find yourself saying, “I won’t believe unless I see…” you are already exercising faith in your own criteria. If you can trust in your own reasoning, why not place your faith in what God has revealed through His Son? If you are ready to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, I invite you to open your heart and accept Him today. The resurrected Christ who appeared to His disciples in that locked room offers that same peace and new life to you.
Mark’s Gospel provides a crucial detail, stating in Mark 16:1, “Now when the Sabbath was past.” The Jewish Sabbath, observed on Saturday, had ended. This unequivocally places the momentous events John describes on a Sunday.
Think about the timeline. Jesus was hastily placed in the tomb on Friday, just before the Sabbath began at sundown. He lay there through Saturday. Then, on Sunday, before the dawn had fully broken, He rose! This resurrection marked the end of the old covenant’s Sabbath, a day tied to the law and the cessation of work.
Now, something new had dawned. Instead of the week ending in rest, it began with resurrection! John, later in Revelation 1:10, gives this day its rightful title: "I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day." Sunday, the first day, became the Lord’s Day, a testament to the finished work of redemption, the dawn of the “new creation” in Christ.
And what happened on this pivotal first Lord’s Day evening?
“...when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled…”
This word "assembled" holds profound meaning. The Greek word "ekklesia," often translated as "church," literally means "an assembly." So, when the Bible speaks of assembling, it speaks of the very essence of the church – believers coming together.
These assemblies are not mere social gatherings; they are vital times of worship, of deepening our understanding of God, of offering mutual encouragement, of sharing in fellowship, and of remembering the sacrifice and triumph of Jesus. The scriptures repeatedly emphasize the importance of not neglecting these times together (Hebrews 10:25).
These gatherings are the bedrock of our spiritual growth, the source of mutual support in our journeys, and the tangible expression of our Christian faith lived out in community. Jesus Himself promised His presence in these gatherings: “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).
And that is precisely what unfolded in that locked room: “…Jesus came and stood in the midst…”
The doors weren't just closed; the Greek word suggests they were barred, locked tight. Fear gripped the disciples, fear of the temple police, the enforcers who had just arrested and executed their Lord. They were terrified, huddled together, padlocked inside.
But they were together.
This scene beautifully illustrates the truth of 1 Corinthians 12:25-27, where Paul speaks of the body of Christ: “that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
Just as a physical body functions with each part caring for the others, so too should the church. Their shared fear drew them together, and in their unity, Jesus appeared, fulfilling His promise.
How did He enter a locked room? The simple answer: He is God. The resurrected Christ possessed a glorified body, capable of things beyond our current understanding. Perhaps He rearranged the very molecules, passing through the barrier as easily as He had passed through the grave clothes.
And His first words? “…“Peace be with you.”” He then showed them the irrefutable evidence of His sacrifice: “…He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” The Greek word for "glad" signifies an exceeding joy, an overwhelming relief.
Jesus reiterated, “Peace to you!” Luke’s account in 24:36-43 adds powerful details. They were initially terrified, thinking they saw a ghost. But Jesus reassured them, showing His scars, inviting them to touch Him, and even eating with them. This wasn't a phantom; this was the resurrected, physical Christ. His initial word of "peace" calmed their fear, and His second declaration likely sought to temper their exuberant joy as He prepared to give them their mission.
“As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” He then breathed on them and said, “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.”
Think about the Father’s mission for Jesus: to seek and save the lost (Matthew 1:21, John 3:16-17, 1 Timothy 1:15). And now, Jesus, having accomplished that mission through His death and resurrection, commissions His followers to carry that same message, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Everything we do as believers – our ministries, our worship, our study of the Word, our witness – flows from this commissioning, a testament to lives transformed by the good news of Jesus.
But the story doesn't end there. Verses 24-29 introduce us to Thomas, who missed that pivotal first Sunday gathering. He stubbornly declared, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
A week later, the disciples were together again, and this time, Thomas was with them. Once more, despite the locked doors, Jesus appeared, offering Thomas the very proof he demanded. Thomas’s response was a powerful declaration: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus’ gentle rebuke followed: “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Dr. Warren Wiersbe wisely noted that Thomas serves as a powerful warning against neglecting the assembly of God’s people on the Lord’s Day (Hebrews 10:22-25). Because he was absent, Thomas missed the initial encounter with the resurrected Christ, the words of peace, and the commissioning. He endured a week of doubt and fear that could have been filled with joy and peace. His experience should resonate with us when we are tempted to stay home. We never know what special blessing we might miss.
In closing:
Assembling together, going to church, is not just a religious obligation or a mere tradition; it is a vital practice for those who call themselves Christians. The very first day of the week, the day of resurrection, Jesus made it a point to appear to His gathered disciples. He did it again the following Sunday. If the resurrected Christ prioritized meeting with His people, shouldn't we?
Church is a place of refuge and unity. The disciples, terrified, found solace and strength in their togetherness. In times of difficulty and fear, the church provides that same vital community.
Church is a place to receive peace and commissioning. Jesus’ first words were "Peace be with you," and He then equipped them for their mission. In our gatherings, we receive that same spiritual peace, are reminded of Christ's sacrifice, and are empowered for service.
Missing church can lead to missing out on vital encounters with Jesus and His blessings. Thomas’ absence cost him a week of doubt and the initial joy of the resurrection encounter. Let his story be a potent reminder.
How important is church to you?
For my fellow Christians: Think about Thomas. John 11:16 portrays him as courageous, yet he missed so much in just one week of absence. We all have legitimate times of absence, but consider the times you’ve simply chosen to stay away. What blessings, what encounters with God, what encouragement from your brothers and sisters have you missed? If you desire to grow closer to God, would you commit to taking the assembling of believers seriously from this day forward?
For those who may not yet know Christ: Everyone lives by faith; the difference lies in the object of that faith. If you find yourself saying, “I won’t believe unless I see…” you are already exercising faith in your own criteria. If you can trust in your own reasoning, why not place your faith in what God has revealed through His Son? If you are ready to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, I invite you to open your heart and accept Him today. The resurrected Christ who appeared to His disciples in that locked room offers that same peace and new life to you.
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