The Legacy of the Risen Lord – John 20:19-31
20 (19) On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. (20) After he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. (21) Again Jesus said to them, Peace be with you. Just as the Father has sent me, so now I am sending you. (22) When he had said this, he breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit. (23) If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive their sins, they are not forgiven.
(24) Now Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. (25) The other disciples told him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I see the nail prints in his hands, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.
(26) Eight days later the disciples again were in the upper room, 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 examine my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. No longer doubt, but believe. (28) Thomas responded by saying to him, My Lord and my God. (29) Jesus replied, Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, but still have believed. (30) Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples which are not recorded in this book. (31) But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and by believing you may have life in his name.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
