My Lord and My God – John 20:19-31

There is a science of interdimensional travel.  Just ask Northrop Grumman.  In a somewhat tongue-in-cheek article they acknowledge that some scientists are studying such travel and believe it is possible.  Whatever the case, it is Jesus who seems to have the lock on interdimensional travel, as the disciples witness after his resurrection.

When it was evening of that first day of the week and the doors were locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace to you.”  And when he said this he showed them his hands and his side.  So the disciples who saw the Lord rejoiced.  He spoke again, “Peace to you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  And when he had said this he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  Anyone whose sins you forgive are forgiven, whosever you withhold are withheld.”

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.  The other disciples were telling him, “We have seen the Lord.”  But he said to them, “Unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the marks of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” 

Eight days later his disciples were inside with Thomas.  Jesus entered, though the door was locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace to you.”  Then he said to Thomas, “Bring your finger here and see my hands and bring your hand and put it into my side, and don’t be unbelieving but believing.”  Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God.”  Jesus said, “Is it because you have seen me that you have believed?  Blessed are those who do not see and believe.”

Jesus performed many other signs in front of the disciples that are not written in this book.  But these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you might have life in his name.  (John 20:19-31)

The night of his resurrection Jesus somehow enters a locked home where the disciples are now hiding from the authorities, perhaps already concerned that they will be blamed for taking Jesus’ body or at least fearful that what began with Jesus will be finished with them.  But Jesus speaks peace to them and reiterates their commission to go as he did to the world and bear witness.  He anticipates the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit will come upon them, and gives them a measure of the Spirit’s enablement to make it through the 50 days until then.

Jesus emphasizes the nature of their ministry of preaching the gospel by focusing on the forgiveness they may pronounce or the lack of forgiveness.  If people believe the true message of Jesus they will be saved, forgiven.  If they don’t, they will not.  We may make the same pronouncement to those who believe if we are preaching the true gospel.

Because Thomas doesn’t witness this appearance, he refuses to believe, but a week and a day later Jesus comes again to where they are residing and Thomas believes, worshiping Jesus as God.  Jesus receives this worship, which he should not have done if he were not God.  John challenges his readers to also believe. 

Are you scared, defeated, depressed, hopeless?  Jesus is alive and serving him is our calling.  By believing we have life in his name.

Discussion Questions

1. What unbelievable claim have you demanded evidence for before you would believe it?
2. How do you think you would have reacted had you been one of the disciples locked in a room when Jesus appeared?
3. Why do you think Jesus tells the terrified disciples that he is sending them as he has been sent?
4. Do you feel the right to pronounce someone’s forgiveness?
5. Was Thomas right to demand the evidence he demanded?
6. Are you encouraged in any way by Jesus’ resurrection?  If so, why, if not, why not?