In this chapter, we have the account of the resurrection of Jesus and His appearing to the disciples. It is interesting that Jesus first decided to reveal Himself to Mary. Perhaps this is because Mary may not have been as stubborn as the disciples were; who were all hiding in fear of the Jews. After revealing Himself to Mary Jesus told her to go and tell the disciples that Jesus had risen. Here we see that the disciples still didn’t fully understand what the mission of Jesus was. That He had to die and rise again to defeat sin and death.
Jesus revealed Himself to the disciples and allowed them to touch His scars which caused the all to believe. All of the disciples were there except for Thomas so the other disciples told him but he refused to believe; saying that he wouldn't believe unless he touched Jesus himself.
“So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord! ” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe! ””
John 20:25 HCSB ( https://www.bible.com/72/jhn.20.25.hcsb )
It is because of this we get the phrase “doubting Thomas,” but really it isn’t fair to Thomas to be remembered as the doubter; seeing that all of the other disciples probably would have said the same thing if they were in his shoes (sandals). We are told that eight days went by before Jesus appeared to them again. So that means that Thomas had eight days of doubt. When Jesus appeared to the disciple agian He told Thomas to touch his hands and sides and to believe. Just seeing Jesus was enough for him to believe. Jesus replied:
“Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing are blessed.” John 20:29 HCSB ( https://www.bible.com/72/jhn.20.29.hcsb )
Many people have the same perspective that Thomas had which is unfortunate. Jesus said that we who believe without seeing are the truly blessed ones. Could Jesus appear to you? Sure, but would you believe it? Or would you say that it was an illusion or a figment of your imagination? This is what many claim about these eyewitnesses. Is that they either imaged it or faked it. The truth is that no matter how much evidence there is some will never believe. Even if Jesus was to appear to them they would still deny it and refuse to believe. They don’t want there to be a God, because they want to be their god.
John says:
“Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.”
John 20:30-31 HCSB ( https://www.bible.com/72/jhn.20.30-31.hcsb )
Then in 1 John 1:1-3
' That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. '
1 John 1:1-3 ( https://www2.bible.com/bible/59/1JN.1.1-3 )
John and the other disciples, who are reliable eyewitnesses to all that Jesus did, have written these down so that you may believe. They have heard with their ears, seen with their own eyes, and touched with their hands the resurrected Jesus. The Bible is true and accurate in all accounts. The Bible is without errors (in the original manuscripts) and has the power to change your life. If you would believe and stop doubting what Jesus has accomplished for you. It is in our human nature to doubt but John has presented solid evidence that shows that Jesus is the Messiah. The Son of God and the only way of salvation. It’s time to stop doubting because the Father is waiting, come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ.
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