A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 4: The Gospe l s : The Man i fes tat i on of Chr i s t , Par t I I I 131

a. Spoke of their own encounter

b. Spoke of the Lord’s appearance to Peter

3. Fourth appearance: to Simon (cf. Luke 24.34 with 1 Cor. 15.5)

4. While Emmaus disciples were speaking, Jesus appears to the entire group (with Thomas being absent, cf. John 20.24-25).

John 20.26-31 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.” [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.

5. Jesus’ command: “Receive the Holy Spirit” (foreshadowing of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?), cf. John 20.21-23.

D. Appearance to disciples with Thomas present, John 20.26-31

1. Sunday, one week after the Resurrection, spring, A.D. 30

2. Difficulty from this time on to trace Resurrection appearances

a. A 40-day gap between verses 43 and 44 of Luke 24 (i.e., 43 takes place on the Resurrection day, 44 takes place on Ascension day)

b. Jesus’ last forty days on earth demand critical tracing of what all the Gospel accounts provide

3. Thomas’ fundamental scientific(?) attitude: unless I see in his hands the mark and place my finger in his side, I will not believe, John 20.24-25.