Signs and Works in John’s Gospel – John 20:19-29
W – O – U – N – D
See also: Mk. 9:24; 8:20, 21; John 14:5; Heb. 11:6; Luke 24:39; Zech. 13:6; Is. 53:5
Witnesses – v. 19 — Ten disciples were prepared to say they had seen the risen Lord.
Objection – v. 25 — Thomas just could not take their word for it. Thomas was not there, he did not see.
Uncertainty of unbelief – v. 25 — It wasn’t the case that Thomas would not believe. He would if only his conditions were met. If we were to rely on him as a witness, then we can be grateful that he was cautious.
Nail prints – vs. 26-28 — When Jesus returns he shows the nail prints and invites Thomas to touch them. These were the wounds that Jesus received on the cross. In the history of the church they are called the stigmata. Perhaps Thomas knew in some sense that these were wounds he should have received. Scripture teaches that he was wounded for us. These were the wounds that should have been ours.
Declaration of Divinity – v. 28 – 29 Thomas may have been cautious, but he was no doubter. He declares Jesus to be Lord. Have you ever made that decision to declare Jesus to be Lord? Why not follow Thomas’ example?
In response to Thomas’ belief Jesus offers us a beatitude: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Exemplary story: In the news this past week one of the first persons to receive a full face transplant was married to a woman who was a burn victim. The man without a face married the woman whose body was covered with burn marks. What a story of love. A still greater story of love is the story that we can be embraced by a risen Savior whose hands bear the wounds he received on the cross.