Daily Bible Reading Day 165

Ezra 3-5; John 20.  Upon return the priest build the altar and begin offering sacrifice. They are frightened by the people in the land. They get started building the temple and lay the foundation. Those old enough to remember the first temple weep The rest shout for joy. Their joy is short lived since the enemies decide to shut them down. So the work stops. Then two prophets bring word that God wants them to build that temple. So they start. The enemies again write to the king in order to stop them. 

Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb of Jesus. He isn't there so she runs and tells Peter. Peter and another disciple (John) run to the tomb. They find the burial clothing still there but no Jesus. Mary comes back. She sees two angels. She turns and sees Jesus. She doesn't recognize him at first but then does when he speaks to her. Jesus then appears to some of the disciples. They tell Thomas who wasn't there. Thomas says he won't believe unless he can touch. Then Jesus comes back when Thomas is there. He wants Thomas to touch him. Doesn't say whether or not Thomas actually touched him but Thomas gives that famous confession, My God and My Lord. Jesus says those who believe without seeing are blessed. The chapter ends with John stating his purpose in writing. He wrote about signs that demonstrated that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the son of God (king of Israel) and that by believing (present, active) one might have life.