Arulvakku

11.04.10 IDENTITY OF JESUS

…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!"… (Jn 20,19-31)

 

Disciples would like to have had a personal experience of the risen Lord. Experiences of the others, however personal they might have been, were of no use. Thomas was no excuse to this. He also would like to have had a personal experience. Jesus obliged him.

But the message of Thomas is very strong. Because he said, ‘unless I see the mark of the nails…I will not believe’. Thomas did not say; unless I see the risen Lord in his glory or unless I see the lord with millions of angels around etc. He said that he would believe only if he saw the marks of the nails. For Thomas the belief in the resurrections comes from the sufferings and death of Jesus. Wounds are the signs of resurrection for Thomas.

Jesus also shows him the marks as sign of his identity. So, identity of Jesus is in his sufferings. Resurrection is the result of the sufferings. Sufferings play a major role in the belief of the resurrection. Sufferings only show who Jesus is.

Jesus also said, ‘blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.’ Jesus seems to imply that experiences and witnesses are given only to a few. Experiences are not even essential for a life of faith. What is important is the belief. Believing persons are blessed. “My Lord and My God”