The Sunday gospel lectionary reading for the Second Sunday in Easter is John 20.19–31, which includes Jesus’ encounter with so-called ‘doubting Thomas’. It is the set reading for this week in all three years of the lectionary, so we know it well—and need to reflect on it if we are going to preach effectively on this well-trodden ground.
There is a change of gear from the first half of John 20 to the second, the reading for the Easter 2, and the passage becomes more theological and reflective.
James and Ian discuss the text, and whether Thomas is really ‘doubting’ or angry and disappointed.
These things are written that you may believe.
Not what various scholarly people imagine them to mean.
The Jews elevated the various Rabbinical writings to be on a par with Scripture itself, with the result that the people completely missed the point of Jesus.
A View from the Number 48 Omnibus top deck.
The women at the tomb were not permitted to touch Jesus. John20:17 Jesus saith unto her,” Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. He commissions them to be the first stewards
Of “the mystery” [REVELATION-Impartation of Light]
In that culture the testimony of women was not considered equal to a man’s.
“Often, the focus of this week’s Easter Lectionary is on Thomas. His “doubt” is rather relatable, and it seems to be what Jesus reflects directly upon when he declares a beatitude of Belief (It really is too bad for Thomas that he wasn’t there that Easter evening with the other disciples. After all, he’s only asking for what the other disciples experienced when he says he won’t believe until he is able to physically witness the truth of Jesus’ resurrection.
The disciples had been, seemingly in the same boat,—having rejected the message of the women, they are given the gift of Jesus’ presence as proof, and then they come to believe. The closing of the lectionary text is an invitation to all of us to be more like the women and less like the disciples…” Chelsey Harmon
That Jesus showed them his side could be indicative of the New Creation the church, the bride of Christ, is born from His wounded side?
Why is Jesus here in this locked room? To what purpose?
Was it to give further light on the Mystery to which they are commissioned to be stewards of?
Jesus’ First Movement: To Be in the Midst
Jesus’ First Word: Peace “Peace be with you.” These words are part of his purpose in being present: we can know peace because the resurrected Lord is with us.
Jesus’ Second Word: Peace (Again) & Sending
Jesus spoke words of forgiveness on the cross, completed the work of atonement for humanity and the world, and now blesses those who have done him wrong with peace!
The disciples are to be people who give peace, who physically show up, who sacrifice for others out of love and for peace.
Of the forgiving/retention of sins? was this not demonstrated in the First church ACTS 5 VS.1-11 Deception is a definite Red Card.
Alan, do you think there is significance in Eve , the mother of all life, coming from Adam’s side with , firstly , the water from Ezekiel’s Temple, second, Jesus side?
It all seems to be of a piece to me. Why does it matter?
The whole point of death and resurrection is to make us Glad and give us Peace beyond understanding !
Ps 46:4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High [All flowing from the Holiness of God!]
Ps 64:10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory!
Ps 67:4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah.
Ps 68:3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
Ps 70:4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
We are instructed to “Serve the Lord with Gladness”.
I think that the black churches do so in spades and thrive and flourish accordingly. They, I think, are excellent stewards of the riches and fulness of Christ. Gladness is not just for Eastertime.
Steve
April 1, 2024 at 6:25 pm
Thanks Steve
My previous post were my own meditation and reflections on the passage.
Your question prompted me to delve deeper into the subject.
There are, as you might expect, various opinions as to the significance of the
“Water and the Blood”
One helpful paper on the question I find in .stackexchange.com/questions/4788/what-significance-does-john-perceive-in-the-piercing-of-christs-side-and-the-flow of blood and water
Matthew Miller urges us not to ADD anything to Scripture
“These things are written that you might believe….”
He thus quotes
“ 1 Cor 4:6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
Deut 12:32 “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.
Prov 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
(My[his] note: The above 4 sets of verses are collectively telling us not to add in anything, including our own ideas or assumptions nor omit anything that is Biblical.)
My[his] note: this means we are no longer to approach the bible with a “human” point of view nor treat it as a literary or academic work or as poetry, etc. as that is not what the Bible is about. The Bible is the textbook of life, what it is & what it is not from God’s point of view.)
1 Cor 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
2 Pet 1:19-21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Hos 5:10 The princes of Judah have become like *those who move the landmark; upon them I will pour out my wrath like water.
(My[his] note: There are both physical & Spiritual landmarks in the Bible.)
My[his] note: In other words, everything written in the Bible has a fixed position & we are not allowed to change anything, including its meaning & interpretation.)
1 Cor 15:45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
The major issue is that one must be very careful when trying to interpret Scripture. Many have made the mistake of putting forth wrong interpretations (intentionally & unintentionally). Even to this day many are still paying for these mistakes, some fatal for many. I can’t stress this enough, be very careful not to go beyond what is written.
For myself, I am very cautious when Commentators and Theologians take a word of God and speculate on its interpretation or even cast doubts upon it; which is more akin to encouraging doubts rather than edifying the reader.
As one once said “tell me about your certainties not you doubts, I have enough doubts for myself”.
“One must try the spirits whether or not they be of God or not” which applies to theologians and commentators especially.
God has given us everything that pertains to Godliness [to know and understand His mind and walk as He walked for all pleasing of Him, in and through His Word.
That He has given us the Holy Spirit with the assurance that H e will guide us into all truth , for our part we must in Patience “ posses our souls “ and wait His time .
Steve
April 1, 2024 at 6:25 pm
Thanks Steve
My previous post were my own meditation and reflections on the passage.
Your question prompted me to delve deeper into the subject.
There are, as you might expect, various opinions as to the significance of the
“Water and the Blood”
One helpful paper on the question I find in .stackexchange.com/questions/4788/what-significance-does-john-perceive-in-the-piercing-of-christs-side-and-the-flow of blood and water
Matthew Miller urges us not to ADD anything to Scripture
He thus quotes
“ 1 Cor 4:6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.
Deut 12:32 “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.
Prov 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
(My[his] note: The above 4 sets of verses are collectively telling us not to add in anything, including our own ideas or assumptions nor omit anything that is Biblical.)
My[his] note: this means we are no longer to approach the bible with a “human” point of view nor treat it as a literary or academic work or as poetry, etc. as that is not what the Bible is about. The Bible is the textbook of life, what it is & what it is not from God’s point of view.)
1 Cor 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
2 Pet 1:19-21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Hos 5:10 The princes of Judah have become like *those who move the landmark; upon them I will pour out my wrath like water.
(My[his] note: There are both physical & Spiritual landmarks in the Bible.)
My[his] note: In other words, everything written in the Bible has a fixed position & we are not allowed to change anything, including its meaning & interpretation.)
1 Cor 15:45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
The major issue is that one must be very careful when trying to interpret Scripture. Many have made the mistake of putting forth wrong interpretations (intentionally & unintentionally). Even to this day many are still paying for these mistakes, some fatal for many. I can’t stress this enough, be very careful not to go beyond what is written.
For myself, I am very cautious when Commentators and Theologians take a word of God and speculate on its interpretation or even cast doubts upon it; which is more akin to encouraging doubts rather than edifying the reader.
As one once said “tell me about your certainties not you doubts, I have enough doubts for myself”.
“One must try the spirits whether or not they be of God or not” which applies to theologians and commentators especially.
God has given us everything that pertains to Godliness [to know and understand His mind and walk as He walked for all pleasing of Him, in and through His Word.
That He has given us the Holy Spirit with the assurance that H e will guide us into all truth , for our part we must in Patience “ posses our souls “ and wait His time .
Alan, are you saying it is vanity to see symbolic significance between such things as Eve out of Adam, water from under the altar, blood and water from Christ’s side and the Water of Life in Revelation? To me it shows that God has always planned a bride for Himself from His wounded side, to bring life and healing for eternity.
Steve
April 2, 2024 at 9:06 pm
Hi STEVE
No, quite the opposite in fact. Iagree with your conclusion.
Shalom.