19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
I am not a really big fan of the disbelieving Thomas story. Many people have not seen and yet believed. Some people probably saw him and still didn't believe or lost faith. But the ten plus are there locked away that evening for fear of the Jews. There is much for them to fear.
Someone may have actually taken the body as a trick and others have been paid off to say the disciples took his body. There would be Romans and Jews all wishing to make sure no uprising or rebellion would take place. They have reason even to fear the events of recent days; earthquake, darkness, zombies ~dead ones coming into town, and Jesus being crucified.
Then as they gathered together the Lord makes his appearance. Jesus could come in his full glory as in Revelation 1 or Acts 9 and made these frightened souls move to complete terror. Jesus appears to them as they needed. Jesus came and said, "Peace is with you." He does not come to strike terror in the hearts of these men for not proclaiming the Good News. He comes to bring the Peace. The peace of God which is beyond our comprehension stands present in that room.
There are many reasons for each of us to fear God. We should tremble at the thought of his presence. But he comes into your presence to offer you forgiveness, and pardon. Now that they have peace they may continue to spread this Good News. Likewise, you are forgiven of all your sins, and transgressions. Now go and do likewise.
No comments:
Post a Comment