April 11, 2010: Jesus Appears to Thomas
The text for this lesson is John 20:19–31
Key Points
Discussion Points
1. “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” Easter is not over. The season of Easter runs for seven Sundays, so we have plenty of time to bask in the warm glow of the resurrection of the Son. But even better, every Sunday is a little Easter! As we saw last week, Jesus’ resurrection occurred on a Sunday (Luke 24:1). The Early Church made a sharp break from Judaism by abandoning the Sabbath (Saturday) and devoting Sunday to worship. The primary reason for the use of Sunday is that Jesus rose on the first day of the week. Luke reports in Acts 20:7, “On the first day of the week, when we gathered together to break bread,” which is a reference to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper on a Sunday. In Revelation 1:10, reference is made to “the Lord’s day,” which is clearly Sunday. Indeed, every Sunday is a celebration of the Lord’s resurrection, and that is reflected at various points in the Divine Service. What parts of the liturgy confess Jesus’ resurrection?
2. How is Christianity distinctly different from these Eastern religions? What tendencies in some parts of Christendom share the flesh is bad and spirit is good philosophy with Eastern religions
3. John 20:19 says that the disciples had the doors locked “for fear of the Jews.” According to John 15:18–20, why might the disciples have been afraid?
4. Jesus said to the disciples “Peace be with you” and then showed them His hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed! According to Colossians 1:18–20 and Romans 5:1, what kind of peace has Jesus won for us, which is cause for great rejoicing?
5. Read Matthew 16:16–19. What is the rock on which Jesus will build His Church? Whom does Peter serve as the representative of in that scene? In what way does John 20:21–23 show the fulfillment of Matthew 16:16–19? How does John 20:24 provide us with a clue as to which group of disciples received the Holy Spirit in John 20:21–23?
6. Recall that the first words of both Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1 are “In the beginning.” John wanted his readers to have the creation account in mind when reading about God’s redemption of the creation from sin and death through the Word made flesh. John 20:22 records that Jesus breathed on His disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit. Compare John 20:22 to Genesis 2:7. What are the similarities and differences between these verses? In light of what the Holy Spirit will empower the disciples to do in John 20:23, what is the significance of John 20:22 for the Church?
7. Read Luke 24:21–24. How might the response of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus help explain Thomas’s great reluctance to believe that Jesus had risen? Does John portray Thomas as any more doubting than the other disciples? How does Jesus use Thomas to provide a teaching moment for the Church?
8. With Jeremiah 17:9 in mind, what is comforting about knowing that we have pastors who are available to pronounce forgiveness to us when we are troubled by our sins?
9. “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Though as Christians we have not seen Jesus, we love Him, believe in Him, and greatly rejoice (1 Peter 1:8). “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Isaiah the prophet wrote, “Truly, You are a God who hides Yourself” (45:15). Yet our Lord has given us all that we need and more. How are we able to hear Jesus even though we cannot see Him? How can we touch Him without being able to sense His presence?
10. In John 20:30–31, the purpose statement of the entire Gospel is given. John recorded a selection of Jesus’ signs in order that the recipients of his Gospel “may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing [they] may have life in His name.” In truth, this could be the purpose statement of the entire Bible. According to Acts 2:38, how do we receive life in Jesus’ name? In light of Matthew 28:19, why is the name placed upon us at Baptism capable of giving life? What is the relationship between John’s purpose statement and Christian Baptism?
