‘When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’  After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’  When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’ A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’  Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’  Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’ However, Thomas’ reluctance to accept hearsay reflects a deep desire for personal experience and conviction. A week later, Jesus appeared again with Thomas present. He directly addressed Thomas, offering His wounds for inspection. This encounter brought forth Thomas’ declaration of faith: “My Lord and my God!” This pronouncement is significant as it reflects a profound recognition of Jesus’ divine nature and resonates with every believer’s journey from doubt to faith. Jesus’ response to Thomas’ proclamation is one of blessing towards future believers: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Deeper Dive

This passage highlights a central theme of Christianity: faith is not solely dependent on physical evidence but on spiritual conviction. It reassures those who believe without seeing, affirming their place among the blessed. The narrative concludes with the author of John’s Gospel stating the purpose of writing these accounts: “That you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” This underscores the power of testimony and written word in spreading faith and providing life-giving truth.

^‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.  All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.’

The power of community is beautifully depicted in the early church. This passage provides a roadmap for fostering unity, spiritual growth, and communal support. Let’s delve into the elements that made this early Christian community so effective and how modern faith communities can draw inspiration from it. The early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” This devotion was not superficial; it was an integral part of their daily lives. The early Christians prioritised learning from the apostles, ensuring that sound doctrine and spiritual knowledge were foundations of their community.

Deeper Dive

Sharing meals was symbolic of their unity in Christ, and it reinforced their bonds. The act of breaking bread together, reminiscent of the Last Supper, was both a spiritual and communal activity. Prayer was central to the life of the early church. It connected them to God and to each other, creating a spirit of dependence and humility. The early believers “had everything in common,” which reflected a radical approach to possessions and wealth. The passage states they “sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” This voluntary sharing ensured that no member was in need, showcasing a profound commitment to each other’s welfare.

‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,  who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials,  so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.  Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,  for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.’

The passage begins with a call to praise: This sets the tone for the central theme of living hope. Through Christ’s resurrection, believers are offered a hope that is both active and transformative. Peter continues by highlighting an inheritance: “…through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” This inheritance is eternal, secured in Heaven.

Deeper Dive

At the core of this passage is the concept of “a living hope.” This hope is not static or distant—it is alive and active. Rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it assures believers of eternal life. This hope is not merely a future promise but a present reality, shaping how Christians live and perceive the world around them. Peter describes the Christian inheritance as “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.” These adjectives highlight the eternal nature of this gift, contrasting it with the temporal and fleeting treasures of the world. This inheritance is reserved in heaven, a testament to its secure and lasting value Peter acknowledges the reality of “various trials” that believers may encounter. They serve to test the genuineness of faith, akin to gold refined by fire. Such refining processes, although difficult, ultimately strengthen and purify the believer’s trust in God. The outcome of tested faith is profound—it results in “praise, glory, and honour” when Jesus Christ is revealed.

‘When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’  After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’  When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

The evening of the first day of the week found the disciples gathered behind closed doors, gripped by fear of the Jewish leaders. In this tense atmosphere, Jesus appeared before them with a simple yet profound greeting: “Peace be with you.” This greeting underscores the title of the Prince of Peace. Amidst chaos and fear, Jesus’ presence brought immediate calm and reassurance. Following His greeting, Jesus showed them His hands and side as proof of His resurrection. The disciples’ fears turned to joy. He then breathed on them, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This act was symbolic of their empowerment and the beginning of their mission to spread the message of His resurrection. The Holy Spirit became the guiding force, fortifying their faith and resolve.

Deeper Dive

In the modern world, this passage serves as a reminder to find peace amidst turmoil. Jesus’ greeting, “Peace be with you,” encourages believers to seek inner calm and assurance through faith. Thomas’ story legitimises doubt as part of the faith journey. It demonstrates that questioning can lead to deeper understanding and ultimately, stronger belief. The disciples’ initial gathering shows the strength found in community during times of uncertainty. Shared faith provides support and collective assurance. This passage invites believers to understand their faith journey through the lens of peace, belief without sight, and personal encounter with the divine.