John 20 is about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and three of his many, many resurrection appearances. Paul writes about Jesus’ resurrection appearances in I Corinthians 15: 1-8. Here in John we learn about his (Jesus) very first appearance to Mary of Magdala and subsequent  appearances to the frightened disciples hiding in Jerusalem, and again to all the disciples and Thomas, who missed him the first time and refuses to believe the other disciples.

Mary is unable to leave the empty tomb and stays on grieving. Jesus reveals himself first to her. Mary calls him “Rabboni” and clings to him; she not only needs the evidence of sight but she “clings” to him.  Jesus encourages her to go and give the disciples his message.

John’s faith comes intuitively; he sees the linen cloths in the empty tomb and instantly he understands and believes – Jesus is risen. He is God. This is full, Christian faith.

The disciples, including Peter who ran to the tomb and entered it first, see Jesus when he comes to them gathered in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. They are amazed.

Thomas is the pragmatic realist;  he needs the evidence of sight! Since he wasn’t there when the other disciples saw Jesus he wants to feel Jesus wounds before he will believe that Jesus is risen. Jesus does not chastise or rebuke Thomas. Instead, he invites Thomas to feel his wounds. Thomas no longer needs to touch it seems. He kneels and acknowledges Jesus as “My Lord and my God.”

Which disciple do you think you’d have been like if you’d been there?

In response to Thomas’ worship Jesus says what has been called the greatest blessing of all: Blessed are those who believe without seeing.

Self-death was briefly discussed too, especially how is it similar or different from things like random acts of kindness, service, and self-sacrifice.  I need to find a good definition for this word – self-death =  dying to self and living in Christ = absolute surrender to God, doesn’t seem to be clear enough.

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