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.
In their weekly discussion of the passage, James and Ian explore the change of pace here from the first half of the chapter, the theological significance of the sayings and actions of Jesus, and whether Thomas was really ‘doubting’ or actually angry and disappointed.
The full commentary on the passage can be found in the previous article here.
Thanks for this. A few years ago I started to wonder about….logistics.
The short mention about the wife of Chuza helping with supplies for the disciples got me thinking about how Jesus and his disciples were catered for. You mention the gathered waiting behind locked doors. At once I see the scene: The well planned logistics from sleeping bags to leftover palace food that people like Joanna the wife of Chuza had planned in advance suddenly comes to a grinding log jam. The room was filled with all sorts of disciples. The mule driver from Sephoris; afraid to leave after a delivery. Women drawn in to help unable to get back home. Foreigners travel plans upset now find themselves lost, having missed the camel train home. All believers in Jesus collected together but without the logistic support the women had provided in the background all the time. No money either. Judas held the money. It must have been like a coffee lounge at a motorway service station where snow has suddenly fallen and cut off all entrance and exit. All Jesus backup staff, helpers, secret providers. logistic planners– all caught up unable to move, talk coherently, grief stricken,– until suddenly…