Week of April 13, 2020
Bible Study for Easter 2A
John 20:19-31
The risen Jesus appears to his disciples, offering them a benediction, a commission, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. But Thomas is not there and his unbelief prompts another visit from the Lord eight days later.
Every year, the Gospel appointed for Easter 2 is the very familiar story of Thomas. As we prepare for hearing that on Sunday both in the text and in our sermon, I believe that it is worthwhile to put that account in context.
We recall that Jesus was crucified on the day before the sabbath, and this sabbath was also the Passover, one of the three major pilgrimage festivals in the Jewish faith tradition. He was hurriedly placed in a tomb by Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea (about 30 miles northwest of Jerusalem) and Nicodemus before sundown marking the beginning of the sabbath.
The morning after the sabbath (the first day of the week) while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to complete the burial rituals but found that the tomb was open. She ran back to get Peter and another unnamed disciple and they raced to the tomb and found it just as Mary said. Then the Scripture tells us that they, rather unceremoniously, went back home. Mary stayed behind weeping and was approached by a “gardener.” When he called Mary’s name, she realized that he was Jesus. And Jesus sent her on to tell the disciples that she had seen the Lord.
Please read the text. And then if there is someone else in your household, take turns telling the story to each other. Notice what details are important to you. Did you hear or realize something that you hadn’t before?
The themes of light and darkness are important in the Gospel of John. Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night (Ch 3), the storm on the sea came when it was dark (Ch 6), Jesus describes himself as the light of the world to give the light of life to those walking in darkness (Ch 8), he restores sight to the blind (Ch 9). In the Prologue, the writer describes the “Word” – in him was life and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. (1:4-5). Think about the times in your life that have been dark. Times perhaps like those of the disciples hiding in the evening behind locked doors. And then suddenly, Jesus, the light of the world, is standing in their midst. When are the times in your life that Jesus has surprisingly appeared? Recount them and thank him now for bringing them to your remembrance.
Of course, we know this account as the story of “Doubting Thomas.” Yet, the word “doubt” is not present in the Greek. A better translation would be “Do not disbelieve” or “do not be faithless.” Jesus is not chastising him for skepticism but is going much deeper to the very grounds of faith. (The word for “doubt” is used two other places in the NT – Matthew 14:31 and Matthew 28:17. It has a connotation of hesitancy or having second thoughts.) The notion of “belief” is of central importance in the Gospel of John. Notice Ch 3:16, Ch 20:31, among others. Give some thought to that which you believe, that which you know that you know. Try to summarize that in three or four sentences.
As you think about the notions of doubt, belief and skepticism, how do you think they compare with each other?
Please compare verse 25 with verse 27. Notice that Jesus met Thomas right where he was and offered exactly what Thomas had asked for. Do you think Thomas did touch Jesus’ wounds? What do you think the other disciples witnessing this were thinking?
Where do you find yourself in this Gospel account? Are you one of the women nodding your head because you knew it all the time, one of the disciples shaking your head at Thomas’s quandary, Thomas just wanting to know for sure.
Let us pray.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work or watch or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, comfort the afflicted, shield the joyous: and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
