I WILL NOT BELIEVE

 JESUS AND THOMAS JOHN 20:24-29 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (called the Twin), was not with them when Jesus came. So they told him, “We have seen the Lord!” Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe/”

 A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then stretch out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!”

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Do you believe because you see me? How happy are those who believe without seeing me?”

 I think only John narrated this incidence because he wanted to prove a point that Christ did rose from death. Putting ones finger on the scars and  on His side, and the nails on Hand.  If it is true the wounds will be fresh. Thomas did saw His pierced side, the scars of the wounds of Christ.  Interestingly, Jesus knew their conversation, so He addressed Thomas and invited him to do as he had spoken.

CONDITION FOR FORGIVENESS

IF YOU FORGIVE PEOPLE’S SINS THEY ARE FORGIVEN JOHN 20:19-23

It was late that Sunday evening, and the disciples were gathered together behind locked doors, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities.  Then Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. After saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.” 

Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive people’s sins they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
 

Our Lord Jesus Christ breathed on the disciples an empowerment to forgive Sin and retain Sin. If we can recall after healing the man at the pool  in John Chapter 5:1-18  “Do you want to get” the man reply was no one to put him in the pool, But Jesus being the WORD spoke the WORD asking him to get up, pick his bed and walk. There was argument because he was healed on a Sabbath. Later Jesus found him in the Temple and said:  “Listen, you are well now, so stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”14 . Sin is very destructive; its consequence is very devastating It destroys body and soul.  Perhaps this was the reason Christ gave his disciples the authority to forgive Sin.   Some people accuses Catholics of going to confession, some will ask if it is in the BIBLE? This is Christ command and authority because he gave them the power to forgive by breathing on them and empowering them through the Holy Spirit to forgive sins.  It is Spiritual Cleansing. Our body need to be clean so is our Soul made of Spirit, so it is through the Spirit, it can be washed and cleansed. PLEASE MEDITATE ON THIS.