Millions of people throughout the world say these words about Jesus in church every Sunday as part of the Nicene Creed, “For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.” This Creed was adopted by churches at the First Council of Nicaea in 325AD and amended in 381AD at the First Council of Constantinople. Christians have been repeating this Creed since that time.
The gospel passage today shows how someone who doubted that truth about Jesus being risen from the dead, came to firmly believe it.
1]. Jesus Appears To The Disciples. John 20:19-23.
John 20:19 “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.” The apostles had previously been told by three witnesses they had seen Jesus risen from the dead, but they failed to believe them. Now comes unmistakable proof.
a]. Though they were securely locked in a room, Jesus suddenly appeared among them and said, “Peace be with you.” They saw Him for themselves in this supernatural appearance.
b]. Jesus proved that it was He as He showed them His hands and His side. His body bore signs of the wounds He had suffered when He was crucified. It was indeed the crucified Jesus risen from the dead.
c]. Jesus recommissioned His apostles as He had previously commissioned them in Luke 9:1-2., “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” This time it was with the promise of the Holy Spirit to help them, “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.’” 20:21-23.
There are two things to note in this passage.
1. When Jesus said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” did they actually receive the Spirit at that moment? We normally think of the Holy Spirit being poured out on the disciples at Pentecost, several weeks later. I believe it was one of the proleptic sayings of Jesus where proleptic means “the assumption of a future act or development as if presently existing or accomplished.” Jesus was speaking of a future event as we can see from the following verses. The apostle John wrote that the Holy Spirit would not be poured out until Jesus had been glorified, “Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John7:39. His glorification involved His death, resurrection, ascension and being seated at the right hand of God.
The apostle Peter explained the scene at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles as being the result of Jesus ascending to the Father, there receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit and then pouring Him out on the apostles. Act 2:33 “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.”
2. There may be some misunderstanding regarding verse 23, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” If we understand the words to mean that those in church leadership can stop others from being forgiven, then that cannot be true. The truth is contained in the words in 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Anyone coming before the Father, confessing their sins and sincerely asking for His forgiveness, will be forgiven.
Perhaps a better explanation may be this. The word “withhold” is from [krateō; κρατέω] meaning to hold fast or retain. It could refer to believers who can forgive those who sin against them or they could refuse to forgive them. In the latter case, they are retaining the sins and not letting them go. In other words, a believer who chooses not to forgive someone who hurt them, retains their sins by not forgiving them. However, the person who has asked for their forgiveness may already have confessed their sins to God and been forgiven by Him. Unforgiveness is a sin that punishes those who refuse to forgive and mars fellowship between believers.
2]. Jesus And Thomas. 20:24-29
i]. The Depth Of Thomas’ Doubt That Jesus Had Risen From The Dead. 24-25
“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.’” John 20:24-25.
Perhaps when the apostles shared with Thomas that they had seen the risen Jesus, it sounded too good to be true for him. He wanted to be sure that what they had seen was not an apparition. So he would have to see the body of Jesus and the wounds from His crucifixion to really believe that Jesus was risen.
ii]. The Depth Of Thomas’s Faith In The Risen Jesus. 26-29
The risen Jesus challenged Thomas personally. “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.” 20:26-27. They all saw Jesus but He addressed Thomas individually and asked him to fulfil the demands he had made before he would believe. We are not told if Thomas did touch the body of Jesus but now his doubt was gone, ‘Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”’ 20:28. His declaration was an act of willing submission to the risen Lord.
Jesus responded with a general statement that has been a blessing to millions throughout the history of the church, ‘Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”’ John 20:29. Millions since that time have believed in Jesus even though they have never seen Him. They are encouraged by His words that they are blessed.
3]. The Purpose Of This Book. 20:30-31
John tells us why he wrote this gospel. John 20:30 “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.”
Though Jesus had done many miracles or signs during His ministry, John included in his gospel many that would help people to understand two main truths. Firstly, that Jesus is the long-promised Messiah or Christ [the Anointed One] as well as being the Son of God. Secondly, that by trusting in Jesus, people could gain life in His name. “Life” here is [zōē; ζωή] which occurs 36 times in this gospel. Perhaps the most well-known verses are 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” AND 6:47 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.”
This passage of scripture places pressure on those who read it or hear it, to personally submit their lives to the Risen Jesus Christ. Then they can join those blessed ones who have not seen Jesus but believe in Him. If they fail to do so then the words of John 3:16 apply to them. Having rejected the grace of God in the gift of Jesus, they will perish until they repent and receive Him as their Saviour and Lord.
Blog No.539 posted on Tuesday 19 March 2024.
holbeck 
539. Jesus Rose From The Dead And Is Alive. John 20:19-31. [Notes on the Gospel Reading for Sunday 07 April 2024]
Millions of people throughout the world say these words about Jesus in church every Sunday as part of the Nicene Creed, “For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.” This Creed was adopted by churches at the First Council of Nicaea in 325AD and amended in 381AD at the First Council of Constantinople. Christians have been repeating this Creed since that time.
The gospel passage today shows how someone who doubted that truth about Jesus being risen from the dead, came to firmly believe it.
1]. Jesus Appears To The Disciples. John 20:19-23.
John 20:19 “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.” The apostles had previously been told by three witnesses they had seen Jesus risen from the dead, but they failed to believe them. Now comes unmistakable proof.
a]. Though they were securely locked in a room, Jesus suddenly appeared among them and said, “Peace be with you.” They saw Him for themselves in this supernatural appearance.
b]. Jesus proved that it was He as He showed them His hands and His side. His body bore signs of the wounds He had suffered when He was crucified. It was indeed the crucified Jesus risen from the dead.
c]. Jesus recommissioned His apostles as He had previously commissioned them in Luke 9:1-2., “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.” This time it was with the promise of the Holy Spirit to help them, “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.’” 20:21-23.
There are two things to note in this passage.
1. When Jesus said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” did they actually receive the Spirit at that moment? We normally think of the Holy Spirit being poured out on the disciples at Pentecost, several weeks later. I believe it was one of the proleptic sayings of Jesus where proleptic means “the assumption of a future act or development as if presently existing or accomplished.” Jesus was speaking of a future event as we can see from the following verses. The apostle John wrote that the Holy Spirit would not be poured out until Jesus had been glorified, “Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John7:39. His glorification involved His death, resurrection, ascension and being seated at the right hand of God.
The apostle Peter explained the scene at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles as being the result of Jesus ascending to the Father, there receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit and then pouring Him out on the apostles. Act 2:33 “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.”
2. There may be some misunderstanding regarding verse 23, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” If we understand the words to mean that those in church leadership can stop others from being forgiven, then that cannot be true. The truth is contained in the words in 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Anyone coming before the Father, confessing their sins and sincerely asking for His forgiveness, will be forgiven.
Perhaps a better explanation may be this. The word “withhold” is from [krateō; κρατέω] meaning to hold fast or retain. It could refer to believers who can forgive those who sin against them or they could refuse to forgive them. In the latter case, they are retaining the sins and not letting them go. In other words, a believer who chooses not to forgive someone who hurt them, retains their sins by not forgiving them. However, the person who has asked for their forgiveness may already have confessed their sins to God and been forgiven by Him. Unforgiveness is a sin that punishes those who refuse to forgive and mars fellowship between believers.
2]. Jesus And Thomas. 20:24-29
i]. The Depth Of Thomas’ Doubt That Jesus Had Risen From The Dead. 24-25
“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.’” John 20:24-25.
Perhaps when the apostles shared with Thomas that they had seen the risen Jesus, it sounded too good to be true for him. He wanted to be sure that what they had seen was not an apparition. So he would have to see the body of Jesus and the wounds from His crucifixion to really believe that Jesus was risen.
ii]. The Depth Of Thomas’s Faith In The Risen Jesus. 26-29
The risen Jesus challenged Thomas personally. “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.” 20:26-27. They all saw Jesus but He addressed Thomas individually and asked him to fulfil the demands he had made before he would believe. We are not told if Thomas did touch the body of Jesus but now his doubt was gone, ‘Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”’ 20:28. His declaration was an act of willing submission to the risen Lord.
Jesus responded with a general statement that has been a blessing to millions throughout the history of the church, ‘Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”’ John 20:29. Millions since that time have believed in Jesus even though they have never seen Him. They are encouraged by His words that they are blessed.
3]. The Purpose Of This Book. 20:30-31
John tells us why he wrote this gospel. John 20:30 “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.”
Though Jesus had done many miracles or signs during His ministry, John included in his gospel many that would help people to understand two main truths. Firstly, that Jesus is the long-promised Messiah or Christ [the Anointed One] as well as being the Son of God. Secondly, that by trusting in Jesus, people could gain life in His name. “Life” here is [zōē; ζωή] which occurs 36 times in this gospel. Perhaps the most well-known verses are 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” AND 6:47 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.”
This passage of scripture places pressure on those who read it or hear it, to personally submit their lives to the Risen Jesus Christ. Then they can join those blessed ones who have not seen Jesus but believe in Him. If they fail to do so then the words of John 3:16 apply to them. Having rejected the grace of God in the gift of Jesus, they will perish until they repent and receive Him as their Saviour and Lord.
Blog No.539 posted on Tuesday 19 March 2024.
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About Jim Holbeck
Once an Industrial Chemist working for the Queensland Government but later an Anglican minister in Brisbane, Armidale and Sydney. Last position for eighteen years before retirement in 2006 was as the Leader of the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral Sydney.