In this passage, Jesus appears to the disciples declaring peace and gifting them with the Holy Spirit. The disciples are hiding in the upper room where they had recently celebrated the Passover meal, and the Lord’s Supper. John tells us that they fear “the Jews”, but he’s painting in broad strokes. I doubt that the disciples are worried about mob violence from their fellow common Judeans, rather they are worried that religious authorities, who can persuade the Romans to arrest them, will come looking for them. 

When Jesus appears, he miraculously passes through the door. This might have caused the disciples to fear that he is a ghost, so he shows them his wounds to prove he has his body. This does the trick, and the disciples rejoice. Jesus then gives them the Holy Spirit. This doesn’t necessarily contradict the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Maybe this was the seed of the Spirit that germinates on that day! 

Jesus also tells the disciples about retaining and forgiving sins. It is difficult to know if Jesus is giving a new power to the disciples (and the church), or if he is simply describing the seriousness of the power the church will have over people’s lives. How strict should the church be on when to forgive someone who has sinned in the community? When should someone be asked to leave the church? We continue to wrestle with these questions today.

Finally in this passage, we have the story of “Doubting Thomas”. Poor Thomas! The only disciple who was brave enough to be outside the upper room when Jesus first appeared, he’s become the butt of jokes for his questioning of the others’ experience ever since. Jesus is willing to meet Thomas in his doubt and freely shows him his wounds and asks him to touch them. We don’t know if Thomas actually does, though. Perhaps, seeing was believing for Thomas, rather than touching the wounds. 

Jesus’ words to Thomas aren’t meant as an insult to him, but instead as a word of encouragement to us. We, and many generations before us, have believed in Jesus even though we did not know him when he walked the earth with his disciples. Jesus is proud of us for believing in him despite that fact! When we spend time with the story of Jesus and with other believers in prayer, worship, and service, we sustain and grow our faith in the one who IS risen so that all might have life in his name! Amen!