Post Resurrection Appearances

John 20:24-21:14 recounts two powerful post-resurrection appearances of Jesus and provides a poignant message about belief, doubt, and divine provision.

John 20:24-29: Doubting Thomas

Thomas, one of the twelve disciples, was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other disciples after His resurrection. When they told him about the encounter, Thomas famously doubted, saying, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (20:25).

Eight days later, Jesus appeared again, this time with Thomas present. Jesus invited Thomas to touch His wounds and to stop doubting and believe. Overwhelmed, Thomas responded, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus then said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed.”

John 20:30-31: Purpose of John’s Gospel

John explains the purpose of his Gospel: these accounts are written so that people may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, they may have life in His name.

John 21:1-14: Jesus Appears by the Sea of Galilee

In this chapter, Jesus appears to His disciples by the Sea of Galilee. Several disciples, including Peter, Thomas, and John, had gone fishing but caught nothing. At dawn, Jesus, standing on the shore, called out to them, asking if they had any fish. When they said no, He instructed them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. They obeyed, and the net was miraculously filled with fish.

Recognizing it was Jesus, Peter impulsively jumped into the water and swam to shore. When the other disciples arrived, they found Jesus preparing a meal of bread and fish. He invited them to join Him, sharing food as He did in many of His earlier miracles.

This marked the third time Jesus had appeared to His disciples after the resurrection.

Key Reflections

Faith Beyond Sight: The story of Thomas invites us to reflect on the nature of faith. Jesus’ words to Thomas—"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed"—speak to the broader call for believers to trust in God without requiring tangible proof. In modern life, this encourages us to cultivate trust in God’s presence and promises even when the evidence may not be immediately visible.

Community and Doubt: Thomas’ journey from doubt to faith happens within the supportive context of the disciple community. Similarly, in our lives, the church or spiritual community plays a critical role in helping individuals through moments of doubt, providing encouragement, and sharing their experiences of faith.

Provision and Abundance: In the account of the miraculous catch of fish, we see Jesus providing abundantly in a moment of human failure (the night of fruitless fishing). This symbolizes how God’s grace often meets us at our point of need and brings about abundance when we follow His guidance. In everyday life, this can remind us that trusting in God’s direction often brings solutions and blessings beyond our efforts.

Resurrection Encounters: Both appearances highlight that the risen Christ comes to His followers in the ordinariness of life—whether in a locked room or by the sea. He meets people where they are, offering peace and presence. This speaks to the accessibility of Jesus in our daily lives, always ready to guide and restore.

The themes of belief, community, and divine provision found in these passages resonate deeply with the modern believer, encouraging a life of trust, togetherness, and openness to the blessings God provides, often in unexpected ways.