Blessed Are Those Who Believe

Jesus Calls Us Experiencing the Resurrection Disciples Come to Believe the Resurrection Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5 John 20:19-31 The Voice 19 On that same evening (Resurrection Sunday), the followers gathered together behind locked doors in fear that some of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were still searching for them. Out of nowhere, Jesus appeared in the center of the room. Jesus: May each one of you be at peace. 20 As He was speaking, He revealed the wounds in His hands and side. The disciples began to celebrate as it sank in that they were really seeing the Lord. Jesus: 21 I give you the gift of peace. In the same way the Father sent Me, I am now sending you. 22 Now He drew close enough to each of them that they could feel His breath. He breathed on them: Jesus: Welcome the Holy Spirit of the living God. 23 You now have the mantle of God’s forgiveness. As you go, you are able to share the life-giving power to forgive sins, or to withhold forgiveness. 24 All of the eleven were present with the exception of Thomas. 25 He heard the accounts of each brother’s interaction with the Lord. The Other Disciples: We have seen the Lord! Thomas: Until I see His hands, feel the wounds of the nails, and put my hand to His side, I won’t believe what you are saying. 26 Eight days later, they gathered again behind locked doors; and Jesus reappeared. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus: May each one of you be at peace. 27 He drew close to Thomas. Jesus: Reach out and touch Me. See the punctures in My hands; reach out your hand, and put it to My side; leave behind your faithlessness, and believe. Thomas (filled with emotion): 28 You are the one True God and Lord of my life. Jesus: 29 Thomas, you have faith because you have seen Me. Blessed are all those who never see Me and yet they still believe. 30 Jesus performed many other wondrous signs that are not written in this book. 31 These accounts are recorded so that you, too, might believe that Jesus is the Anointed, the Liberating King, the Son of God, because believing grants you the life He came to share. For Reflection "The disciples are sent to continue Jesus’ mission of revealing God to the world. They will not be left on their own in this daunting task. Jesus had promised to send another Advocate (paraklétos, one who is “called alongside” someone) who would be with them forever (14:16-17). Now he fulfills that promise. In an act of new creation (cf. Genesis 2:7), he breathes into his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit (20:22). This Advocate or “Spirit of truth” will teach them, remind them of all that Jesus has said to them, and guide them into all truth (14:26; 16:12-14). Jesus’ response to Thomas (20:29) is not a rebuke, but rather a blessing for all those who will come to believe without having had the benefit of a flesh-and-blood encounter with Jesus. Indeed, the author goes on to declare that this is the very purpose of this book, addressing all of us who have not seen but have heard this testimony: “But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name” (20:30-31)." Elizabeth Johnson, Professor, Lutheran Institute of Theology, Meiganga, Cameroon, https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/second-sunday-of-easter/commentary-on-john-2019-31-10  Pray Take your doubts to God in prayer.  The Holy Spirit will guide you into a greater state of grace if you only believe it to be so. Forward to a friend Sign up for our mailing list!