49. John 20:1-31 The Resurrection and Victory of Jesus

 

SCRIPTURE READING: JOHN 20:1-31    
SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHTS:
Vs 1-2 Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.  She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
 
Vs 8-9 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—  for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.
 
Vs. 24-25 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
Vs 27-29 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me.  Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Although Jesus had told his followers that he would die and rise again, they did not really believe. They were not expecting the resurrection because their grief had overwhelmed their hopes.   Thomas was very skeptical when he was told by the others that Jesus had risen. Thomas' statement, “I won’t believe unless I see” demonstrates a stubborn cynicism; an unwillingness to believe the other disciples.
 
Instead of scolding Thomas for his unwillingness to believe the testimony of his fellow disciples, Jesus was willing to indulge Thomas' request by inviting him to touch his hands and side.

What does this passage tell me about Jesus?

Jesus shows mercy to us when we struggle with doubt.  Jesus draws near to us when we struggle. He doesn’t give up on us or condemn us. He will give us what we need to strengthen our faith in times when circumstances tempt us to doubt his word.

What does this passage teach me about myself/mankind?

All of us have experienced doubts to one degree or another. We need to be patient and not give up trusting even when it is difficult.  When Jesus told Thomas that those who believe without seeing are blessed Jesus he was speaking about all of us who trust in Jesus based upon the testimony of the New Testament authors.
 
How does this passage impact my affections, attitudes and actions?

I am comforted knowing that I don’t need to pretend that I have no doubts. I can freely express them to Jesus, knowing that he will reveal his presence and power to me rather than condemn me.  I am also encouraged by this passage to continue to trust in the veracity of the New Testament witness to Jesus. 

“Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me when my faith is strong, but also loving me and bearing with me when in those times when my faith is weak. I don’t need you to do any miracles in order for me to believe in you because you have already given me more than enough reason to trust in you.

In Your name, Amen.