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John 20 English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

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.”

Jesus and Thomas

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.”

REFLECTION

• Read over this passage a few times slowly. If time allows, read the whole chapter.
• Thomas reminds us that skeptic is not rejected by God – that doubts and uncertainty do not disqualify us for a place in God’s kingdom. He also reminds us that Jesus willingly comes to us, to show us His hands and side so that we might believe.
• Read the passage once more. Look around Jesus’ disciples, those believing ones; and then Thomas. Judging from where you actually are in your relationship with Jesus right now, which group will you be in? As you hear Jesus speak to you, respond to Him from your heart. Let Him engage you in conversation.
• Thank God for the faith He has given you no matter if you were a Thomas or like the other disciples.

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus, how like Thomas I was! I have asked many times about the imprint You left on my life, and said that if I don’t see what You have done, I won’t believe it! People’s hearts are suspicious and deceitful. In fact, sometimes even if I see Your deeds, I just pretend I didn’t see them, and even use various excuses to cover them up. Lord, thank You for not turning away the doubtful. Thank You for reminding me that blessed are those who believe without seeing You. You deeply sympathize with my weakness and encourage me to seek You in faith, I found that my doubts were gradually decreasing, and my faith was gradually increasing. I suddenly understood that only after I grew up, could I see Your mark; only after experiencing setbacks, could I see Your deeds! Lord, thank You! Those who could not see You before have seen You now, all this is Your grace! I beg You to continue to walk with me; I beg Your grace to shine, so that my eyes will be bright and I will not stumble. Amen!

HYMN

Help My Unbelief – youtu.be/3TW0kjy9fkc