SUMMARY
JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity. More appears to ThomasOne of the twelve disciples of Jesus who is remembered for doubting then believing in the resurrection. More a week after coming to his disciples in the locked room.
ANALYSIS
In the second resurrection appearance, Jesus finds the disciples in a locked room in fear of a similar fate as Jesus, were they to be discovered by the Jewish authorities. Jesus’ words, “Peace be with you” would have recalled for the disciples Jesus’ words of peace in the Farewell Discourse. Jesus then shows them his hands and side and the disciples realize that the promises Jesus made are coming true. Absent, however, is Thomas. Jesus’ appearance to Thomas is then the third resurrection appearance. He meets Thomas where he’s at and the only thing Thomas needs is the experience that Mary MagdaleneFollower of Jesus and among the first to reach Jesus' tomb on Easter. More and his fellow disciples already had – to see the Lord. The fact that Jesus invites Thomas to touch his wounds emphasizes the incarnationIncarnation literally means "embodied in flesh." It is a Christian doctrine, based on the witness in John's Gospel, that God's Word was made flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. The Apostles' and Nicene Creeds confess the central importance of the incarnation of Jesus. More, the Word made flesh, that Jesus has always offered himself fully to the disciples. We do not know if Thomas actually touched Jesus. In the end, it does not matter but that Thomas testifies to the fullness of Jesus’ identity, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus is Lord, his kingdom present among us as the Word made flesh. But, and to which John’s Gospel points without any hesitation, Jesus is God in the flesh. The God who made a covenantA covenant is a promise or agreement. In the Bible the promises made between God and God's people are known as covenants; they state or imply a relationship of commitment and obedience. More with God’s people and tabernacled with them in the wilderness is now here in Jesus.
