Gospel lesson for the week

John 20:19-31 

The story of Easter continues as the risen Lord appears to his disciples. His words to Thomas offer a blessing to all who entrust themselves in faith to the risen Lord.

¹⁹When 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."²⁰After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.²¹Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."²²When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.²³If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." ²⁴But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.²⁵So 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." ²⁶A 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."²⁷Then 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."²⁸Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"²⁹Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." ³⁰Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book.³¹But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Gospel Reflection Questions 
 to share and discuss

1. In this text, Jesus’ disciples received the Holy Spirit from Jesus – How do we receive the Holy Spirit today?
   
   
2. Everyone has doubts – think of some of the doubts you have – Now, turn these doubts over to Jesus who loves us despite any doubts we may have.
   
   
3. Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Think of how and where we might “see” Jesus today.
   
   

Prayer

O Lord, help us in our times of doubt to believe always in you and your love for us.  And, help us to “see” you in the many ways your ministry of love for humankind continues today.  And, help us to receive your spirit, your love for us and your command that we love others.  We pray in Christ’s name.  Amen.

This is Mt. Olive’s weekly online Bible Study for youth, adults and families. Each week we will reflect on the coming weekend’s Gospel text covered at our upcoming worship services. This is your opportunity to read the text, reflect on the questions, share and discuss with friends and family, and share a prayer.

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illustration by Julie Lonneman exclusively for Augsburg Fortress.