Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 7, 2024

Date:   Second Sunday of Easter

Scripture Text:  John 20:19-31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. 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." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained."

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So, the other disciples said to 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 into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Now a week later his disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe." Thomas answered and said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book.But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today from John recounts two of Jesus’ post-resurrection visits with His disciples. When Jesus comes, He brings to them “Peace,” a wholeness. The disciple Thomas was not present when Jesus visited the upper room the first time, and he refused to believe that Jesus lived. However, Thomas was present on Jesus’ second visit. And Jesus invited Thomas to do exactly what he claimed he needed to do to believe: “Put your fingers here and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas immediately believed in Jesus’ resurrection, presence, and divinity.

Jesus’ words after Thomas’ proclamation pertain to us for we Christians in the modern era believe even though we have not seen. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. And during this most holy season, we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and our assurance of life in His name.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I have some of Thomas’ capacity to doubt within me? Do I insist on proof of the LORD’s power and presence, manifestations of the LORD’s love for me?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved and Only-Begotten Son, Most Holy Spirit, as we begin a new week in our journeys of faith, buoyed by hope, and fueled by love, we lift our minds and hearts to You in praise for all You are and in thanksgiving for all You have done for us and given to us. We pray that in the Spirit, we will be fortified for our life from You, through You, and in You. We pray that we will be heralds of your love for us among our sisters and brothers and, cooperating with your grace, instruments of your peace in the world. We pray that our faith with never falter in times of trials or darkness. Grant that we may share our faith, our hope, and our love daily with our sisters and brothers for your glory. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen.