John 20:19-31
Q.1. When did Jesus appear to His disciples? Why were they afraid? How did Jesus reveal His identity? What impact did His appearance make on them? – (Jn.20:19-20)
Jesus had already appeared to Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome early on the first day of the week, which was the third day after He died (Mk.16:1). The evening of that same first day, Jesus revealed Himself to ten of the Twelve (Judas had committed suicide and Thomas was missing). There was much hostility against the followers of Jesus. This was the reason why the large tomb stone was guarded and had been sealed under the authority of the chief priests and Pharisees (Mt.27:62-66). The disciples of Jesus were meeting in the locked Upper Room, trying to process the reports from the women. This did not stop the risen Jesus from materializing into their midst. To remove any doubts about His identity, Jesus invited His disciples to check His wounded hands and side. They were convinced and were filled with joy.Â
Q.2. How did Jesus address the failure of the disciples? Did the disciples receive the Holy Spirit at that time? What apostolic authority did He pass on? – (Jn.20:21-23 c.f. Jn.7:39)
Jesus had predicted the failure of Peter, and His other disciples, in fulfilment of the Scriptures (Mt.26:31-35 c.f. Zech.13:7). However, Jesus didn’t address their failure at that time, but repeated their calling – … as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (Jn.20:21). In the next forty days, He would appear repeatedly, in order to underscore the fact that He would always be present, whether they saw Him or not. This He had explained, when teaching about the coming indwelling Holy Spirit (Jn.14:16-17; Acts 1:2-3). Then Jesus – … breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit (Jn.20:22). This identified the coming Holy Spirit with Himself. However, the disciples were not indwelt by the Holy Spirit until after Jesus returned to Heaven, and the Day of Pentecost had fully come (Jn.7:39; Acts 2:1-4). Jesus then confirmed the life transforming power of the Gospel that His disciples were to proclaim, authorizing them to promise forgiveness to those trusting in the Saviour, namely – If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained (Jn.20:23). This sums up the power of the Gospel of salvation. This Gospel authority would flow to the leaders and people of the church, after the apostles had completed their work on earth (Mt.18:15-18; Jms.5:14-15).
Q.3. What condition did Thomas place on believing that Jesus had risen from the dead? How did Jesus treat his doubts? Why is faith greater than sight? – (Jn.20:24-29)
God thought of everything that would help future generations to believe. Thomas had not been present when Jesus appeared to the other apostles. He refused to believe their story – … “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (Jn.20:25). For eight days Thomas was plagued with doubt. Did Jesus not know or care about his plight? We are not left to wonder, for Jesus addressed Thomas and his doubts – … “Reach here with your finger and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving but believing.” (Jn.20:27). Thomas now acknowledged Jesus as his Lord and his God. In the process he provided another powerful testimony to the bodily resurrection of Jesus (Jn.20:28). Jesus then pointed to the blessedness of faith (Jn.20:29 c.f. 2 Cor.5:7).
Q.4. Why did John call the miracles of Jesus SIGNS? Why did John only select certain miracles of Jesus? What was John’s purpose for recording his Gospel? – (Jn.20:30-31)
John wrote his Gospel with a clear purpose in mind – but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (Jn.20:31). For John they were more than miracles but were signs pointing to Jesus as the Son of God, and the Saviour of the World (Jn.2:11, 23; 3:2; 4:54; 6:2, 14, 26, 30, 7:31; 9:16; 10:41; 11:47; 12:18, 37; 20:30). There were countless miracles that John could have recorded. He chose these ones to fulfill his purpose for writing (Jn.21:25).