Bible Study

A lesson from Thomas was our last devotional.  Today John 20:30-31

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Looking at Scripture

Oh, aren’t these interesting lines?

We know that Jesus is among the disciples.  Witnessed by a now believing Thomas and the rest. 

Jesus did other signs but we aren’t told about them.  

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

But the ones were told about are for the express purpose of helping us believe in Jesus as the Christ, the son of God.

31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,

AND so that believing in him we may have life in his name. 

and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Life Lesson

I don’t know about you but knowing that Jesus did other signs just makes me very curious about what they were. I know, it’s silly of me, but it just makes me go “Oh, I wonder what he did”. Wouldn’t it be cool to know what he might have said while doing them.

At the same time, I am comforted. The signs that were written down are sufficient for my belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of my life. I don’t NEED anything more. If I did, it would have been written.

John is clear though… Enough was written down for faith to be realized. What was written was done so in order that we might believe, in fact, that was the whole purpose. Isn’t that great to know?

The bible isn’t just random words you know? It has a purpose. Jesus appearing among the disciples, us knowing that matters! Jesus talking to Thomas.. that matters. It’s part of what helps to form our faith in Jesus as Christ. Not just stories, not just random miraculous events, but events with the purpose of faith formation.

Last time we met our topic was Jesus appearing to the disciples.  Today we’ll be discussing John 20:24-29.

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Turning to Scripture

Now Thomas hadn’t been with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them.  They told him all about it saying  “We have seen the Lord.”

But Thomas didn’t believe them.  His words: “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Then it happened, eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them.

Again the doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  He did this before when he appeared to the disciples.  Saying to them “Peace be with you”.

Jesus said to Thomas: “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Thomas’ belief

I know Jesus told Thomas to put his finger on J and Jesus hands, and to place his hand on Jesus’ side.  But scripture doesn’t tell us that Thomas actually did so.  It just says that Thomas responded with “My Lord and my God!”

I take that as a statement of belief because Jesus asked why he believed?  Was it because he saw Jesus? 

This section closes with a line I like: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

Isn’t that a wonderful line?  Thomas knew Jesus, he spent three years living with him.  Listening to him, observing him in the day to day, seeing miraculous things happen and more.  Jesus told him to do something and he believed.  He saw Jesus and believed.

So here we are, some 2000 years later, believing in him.  One whom we haven’t actually seen, yet we know him to be true.  And Jesus calls us blessed. Knowing that makes my heart smile tonight.  It’s a word of comfort as well. 

A Comfort

Why is it a comfort?

There are times when I have doubt in my faith, and I’m certain that I am not the only one who has this struggle.  And yet Thomas, he was with the Lord all that time and yet, he had his moment of doubt.  Remember, we haven’t seen him, and yet we believe.  And the Lord God calls us blessed for doing so.  Hold on to that. 

Do you recall the last time we talked it was about how when Mary met the Lord, she knew who he was when she listened to him say her name?  Today we read from John 20:19-23.

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Looking at Scripture

It’s Monday evening, scared disciples were sitting in a room with the doors locked.  Their concern : fear of the Jews.  On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews,

Suddenly Jesus was there, standing among them, wishing them peace.    Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

He then proved who he was, showing them his hands and side.  They would have known how he was injured during his crucifixion.  When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

Not so amazingly, the disciples were thrilled.  Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

The Lord Jesus wished them peace again and then said “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

He was going to send them out in the world, just as he was sent.  As the Father sent, so Jesus sends. 

When he said that, he breathed on them, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Questions and Ponderings

In Acts we are told how the disciples received the Holy Spirit.   They were in a room, breaths of fire came upon them, and they were so filled, ended up presenting the gospel to 1000’s of people.   Yet here we find Jesus breathing on the disciples in a closed room telling them to receive the Holy Spirit.    

I find it interesting that they are two different events. But I’m kinda thinking that one bleeds into the next. Receiving the Holy Spirit as a breathe from Jesus, and then later, having that rush of the Holy Spirit blazingly active.   

Thrills and Steps-Forward

Can you imagine it?   The disciples, sitting all scared in a locked room. And suddenly JESUS is there!  Can you imagine their excitement?   How thrilling it would be to have their loved one among them again.  This thrill is part of the hope Christians have.  Knowing that someday we will see our loved one.  He’ll come back.

I wonder if Jesus threw them for a loop a bit though, telling them he was sending them out just as the Father sent him out.   Then I wonder if they really understood what was going on there.  He twice told them to be at peace… which to me implies excitement or fear.  Peace to you (in my ears) is like saying settle down now, just settle down.  

He was sending them out… Jesus their loved one, suddenly appearing, and telling them he was sending them out.  Telling them to receive the Holy Spirit, breathing upon them.   Then telling them they have the power to forgive (or not).

I don’t know… I feel confused by this passage in the end.   Is this passage saying that WE as believers have the power to forgive and if we refuse to forgive that it’s never going to be? “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”  Doesn’t that sound like a heavy load?   And yet, if we have the Holy Spirit and are living by him, perhaps we would know what needs to be forgiving and what doesn’t?   They are linked in this verse, so before we forgive we aught to be talking to God about it, and then following the leading of the Holy Spirit in regards to forgiveness. 

At least that’s what I think makes sense.  I wouldn’t want to be responsible for declaring something unforgiveable.

What do you think?

Yesterday we discussed how reading God’s word helps deepen our belief of him even if we don’t fully understand it.  Today we are reading from John 20:11-18.

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

Perusing Scripture

Mary had gone running to get the disciples, and they have now left.  She’s left at the tomb.  She’s crying there alone, so she stops to look into the tomb and sees two angels there. They were sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.

They inquired: “Woman, why are you weeping?”

Her response “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” As soon as she said this, she turned around and saw a man standing there.  It was Jesus but she didn’t recognize him.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

Mary didn’t recognize him, therefore made the assumption that he was the gardener.  Remember that Jesus was placed in a tomb within a garden. It would be a natural assumption when meeting someone you didn’t know in a garden. So she asked him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

Then Jesus said her name.  That’s all it took and Mary knew exactly who he was.  Not a gardener it was her  “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

In response, Jesus said, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary’s response was one of obedience.  Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

Questions

I wonder why the angels weren’t there when the disciples were?  Why would they show up for Mary?  She didn’t react in fear, so I wonder if she knew they were angels, or if it was just she was so focused on knowing where Jesus was that it didn’t matter to her.

I also query why Mary didn’t recognize Jesus until he spoke her name.  When he said “woman” she had no reaction beyond asking him a question about where Jesus was. 

Did Mary grab at Jesus when she recognized him?  His statement implies that she did, but I wonder if it was more of an emotional clinging.  Or if was merely he didn’t want her to hang on to him, he had work for her to do.  She did call him Rabboni which means beloved teacher. 

I noticed that Jesus didn’t say “go to the disciples and tell them” rather he said “Go to my brothers”… a good term of endearment isn’t it?  🙂

Thinking it Through

What hits me the most in this passage is how Mary immediately knew who Jesus was. There wasn’t a shred of hesitation in her. He said her name, she immediately knew who he was.

It’s like when I’m struggling with life, and I hear within me, Shush Child, settle. And I immediately know that Jesus is right there. Holding my heart and helping me to … well…. settle. Sometimes I need to just hear it and then I am able to do so. To not be ruled by my emotions, but to settle in my spirit before I am led by fleeting emotions. Peace, child, settle. That is always the Lord. No one else ever uses that.

Like Mary I immediately know.

But I think sometimes I get too busy to listen, or more likely too tired to really listen. I miss that “quiet child” spoken to me. If Mary had barged along, badgering the man she thought to be the gardener, or had turned to talk more to the angels, she could have missed the “Mary”. Instead she listened. In the listening, she knew her teacher.

In the listening, I know my saviour.

Do you listen?

Change was brought when Jesus died, let’s see what happens next eh?   John 20:1-10.

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, -while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.

6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Perusing Scripture

Jesus was buried, by Joseph and Nicodemus if you recall.   Burial is simply one part in a series of visit to the tomb.  So here was Mary Magdalene coming to visit the tomb three days later.  At least I think it was three days later as Jesus was buried Friday and now is the first day of the week, so it could be Sunday or Monday… depending on how you figure what the first day is. 

Anyways, she’s there visiting the tomb.  It’s still dark out.  She sees the stone rolled away and immediately ran to talk to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved.

She told them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

This led Peter and the other disciple to run to the tomb, Peter coming in second place.  The other disciple stooped to look in, saw the clothes but didn’t go in.   Peter arrived and went right in. 

He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.

The other disciple followed Peter in.  He saw the clothes, the empty tomb and believed. 

Then we get this one: for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Question Answered

I went to Matthew Henry to gain some understanding because of that line didn’t make any sense.   This is what Henry says: 

John got the start of Peter in believing. Peter saw and wondered (Lu. 24:12 ), but John saw and believed. ….But what was the reason that they were so slow of heart to believe? The evangelist tells us, as yet they knew not the scripture, that is, they did not consider, and apply, and duly improve, what they knew of the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. The Old Testament spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah; they believed him to be the Messiah; he himself had often told them that, according to the scriptures of the Old Testament, he should rise again; but they had not presence of mind sufficient by these to explain the present appearances.

Interesting eh?

Thoughts in My Head

I can almost see their confusion you know?  They’d heard the teachings of Jesus, they knew that their was something deeper but they just didn’t gras it.  John caught a glimpse and believed, but didn’t fully know what he believed.   Peter caught that same glimpse and wondered about the more than.

It’s like me.

I read the scriptures, I often don’t grasp all there is to it.  But, then I read something and my belief is deepened even though I don’t always fully grasp why.

Do you ever have that?  I’m sure I’m not the only one.  It’s why we keep rereading the scriptures isn’t it.  More truths unfold as we read God’s Word.  It’s amazing. Truths upon truths.

Last time we talked, God had arranged a witness for Jesus.   Today we will be learning from John 19:38-42.

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Scripture Tells Us

Jesus had died, before he needed to be helped to do so, but now the pressure was on.  Remove Jesus from the cross before the Sabbath. 

Joseph of Arimathea stepped up.  He was a secret disciple of Jesus as his fear of Jews was real. BUT this man, afraid or not, spoke up to Pilate, asking for the body of Jesus so he could bury him. 

 Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body.

Not only that, Nicodemus came along as well, bringing the burial spices they would need. 

39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.

They did what was needed, taking his body and preparing it.  Then they placed him in a brand-new tomb that was in the place where he was crucified. 

40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Thinking a Spell

You know, I was surprised when I read those past few verses.   I always thought that Joseph had a special plot for Jesus.  It’s clear here though, they used what was at hand. An empty tomb that lay in the same garden when Jesus was crucified. 

But you know what really hit me?  A man, frightened of the Jewish leadership, still a follower of Jesus, this man came.  He came out of the woodwork to care for Jesus’ body.   He had to talk to Pilate in order to do so.   No more being a follower of Jesus in secret. 

Not only that, Nicodemus.  A man who questioned Jesus late at night, struggled to understand what Jesus was all about.  He was the same man who questioned his fellow leadership in John 7: Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, ⁵¹ “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” ⁵² They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”

Nicodemus didn’t openly follow Jesus, yet when Jesus died he brought the customary spices for burial. Nicodemus, didn’t hide within his position, staying at a distance.  Jesus’ death brought him forward. 

I see these changes and I have to ask myself… What has Jesus’ death wrought in my life?   Do I still hide in the shadows afraid to let others  know faith is real? Is my aim to be helpful like Nicodemus?   Do I do the work necessary for the sake of my faith (like Joseph in moving the body before the Sabbath)?

Jesus has died, making two final statements.   Today we read from John 19:31-37

31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.

34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

John 19:31-37

Burials and High Days

When a person dies, a burial needs to follow, and it was the day of Preparation.  It takes a long time to die from crucifixion.  This site tells of the two ways crucifixion was preformed.   They didn’t want crucifixion to take a long time, it would mean the bodies would still be on the cross during the Sabbath, and particularly during this Sabbath as it was a high day.  

HEY… I now know why the Christian Holidays are called high days.  It was a Jewish tradition.  (cool eh!)

Anways, since 31 Since it was the day of Preparation, ….. the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away.

Breaking the legs of the victims meant their deaths would occur within 45 minutes, giving people plenty of time to bury the dead before the Sabbath.

Legs Broken

The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him.

The agony of waiting to die would be over. Though death by suffocation is not a good death is it?  

They didn’t need to break the legs of Jesus though since they saw that he was already dead.  Instead one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

When I read this I have to wonder.  Why?  Why would the soldier be compelled to do that?  There was nothing really to be gained by it.

Scripture Fulfilled

It was a fulfillment of scripture!   It was another of those things that God did to help people believe in him.

First he provided a witness.   A witness whose testimony is not only true but he KNOWS he is telling the truth. 

Second he fulfilled scripture “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”

That is why the soldier pierced Jesus’ side.  To fulfill scripture, to point us to truth, to show God at work.   Again, God is in the details!

Pondering

Crucifixion is not a pleasant death… taking up to days to die depending on the method used.   This is what Jesus went through.  Standing on his tiptoes to breathe.  Through it all Jesus had found the breathe to speak to his loved ones.

The care is mind-boggling isn’t it?   

We are then led to seeing God’s care.  Having a soldier pierce Jesus’ side.  Fulfilling scripture. So that we might believe.

Oh.. that’s the other thing.. he provided a witness. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.  There’s a difference isn’t there? Between one who knows something is true, having read about it or being told.  And one who has actually witnessed something. Wow.. when they talk about truth they have seen you can tell they REALLY know what they are talking about. 

A soldier and a witness… so that we might believe.   God made sure his son wouldn’t die in vain.  He took care of the needed details so that we might believe.   A good thing that eh?   All the effort that God went through and yet, there are those who can’t see the truth.  Despite witnesses, despite scripture being fulfilled, they just can’t see the truth.

Don’t be one of them.  Be one that sees what has been provided.  Truth.