Jesus, the God-man: Gospel of John
“Christmas Comes at Easter”
John 20:19-31
Introduction: In less than 2 months it will be Christmas again. It seems like this time last year we were thinking that. For many, Christmas is their favorite holiday. The reason they give is because they can spend time with their families, the festive friendly atmosphere, and the chance to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. But we know why, don’t we? It’s the presents! Everyone likes to get gifts and to feel the love behind the giving of those gifts.
I like Christmas, but if it were not for the fact that Jesus rose from the dead then Christmas would not mean as much. At Easter we celebrate the gift of eternal life which was purchased on the cross for us. The first Easter we recognize many of the elements that we associate with our celebration of Christmas as we see “Christmas comes at Easter.”
1. Jesus gave gifts to His disciples. (vv. 19-23)
“same day at evening” – John uses Roman time so evening follows day rather than day following evening. Jewish time started in the evening which is why days of creation stated “evening and morning were the first day, etc.
Easter evening and the disciples were hiding out for fear of the Jewish religious leaders. The doors are shut and perhaps barricaded. But in the midst of this they discover something (rather Someone) that is scarier than that – a risen Savior!
Jesus stood in the middle of them. He did not use the door, He just appeared! YIKES!
He then gives the first of three gifts – “Peace”. He gave this because at this point they would have been anything but. It is terrifying to have the One you abandoned and thought dead to suddenly appear in front of you!
The Hebrew word is Shalom. He gave Shalom and not shame. He appears and the first word is “peace”, not rebuke, scorn, questions, or condemnation – Peace!
But isn’t that what was promised on that first Christmas 33 years before? What did the angels promise the shepherds?
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14
Of what are you afraid? What scares and frightens you? I guess that’s a good question for this time of year isn’t it? Jesus promises peace, but you will notice that peace only comes from the presence of Jesus. In the presence of Jesus there is peace!
v. 20 – He then shows them His hands and side. He is giving proof that He is real. He is not a ghost or hallucination. In Luke’s gospel He eats in front of them.
Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
Luke 24:39
THEN they were glad! I think this is funny. Up to this point they were terrified and still unnerved but after they examined Him and watched Him eat, THEN they were glad.
We too should be the same. When we are in the Lord’s presence we too should be glad.
v. 21 – He then gifts the second of three gifts – “His authority”. “Go as I have gone. Like I was sent, now you are sent.” We have His authority. We can go because he has sent us! We do it for Jesus and with His power and authority.
Illustration: A missionary in the South Sea Islands for a number of years was lying on his back in several inches of water reaching up in his boat, trying to repair the inboard motor. He had to get in that position to fix it, and it was a dirty, hot, scummy business. This doctor was lying there doing that so he could serve Jesus Christ in the South Sea islands, and someone came along and said, “Buddy, you couldn't pay me enough money to do that.”, and this doctor, who loved Christ, said, “I'll tell you something, Buddy, you couldn't pay me enough money to do it either, but I am doing it for Jesus.” (Tim Temple)
v. 22 – Here’s the third gift – the Holy Spirit. He breathes on them and tells them to receive the Holy Spirit. This reminds you of the first creation in the garden. God formed man from the dust and then breathed into man the breath of life – ruah (Hebrew) or pneuma (Greek).
This is Jesus empowering them for ministry. They are now new creations – they are “born again”. He gives them a down payment on the Spirit who will come in about 40 days.
v. 23 – They can proclaim with boldness and confidence the forgiveness of sins. They cannot personally forgive sins. That is something only God can do.
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, Acts 3:19
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; Acts 13:38
If you go and share the gospel then people can be forgiven, but if you do not then they cannot. Their sin will remain. If they ask for God’s forgiveness then you can confidently tell them they are forgiven but if they will not then they are not.
THIS IS A SCARY GIFT TO POSSESS AND NOT USE! Have you ever gotten a gift and not used it? THIS is not one of those gifts!
2. Jesus gave His presence to Thomas. (vv. 24-27)
“But” - Uh oh. Thomas aka the Twin one of the twelve (another word for the original disciples even though Judas is dead) was not with them. Thomas did not get there for the Sunday evening worship service and look what he missed! Jesus came to them and he missed that blessing.
How much do you miss by not gathering with others in worship? How many words from the Lord have you missed hearing by being absent from church?
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. Proverbs 8:34
v. 25 – The disciples begin witnessing to the one closest to them – “WE HAVE SEEN THE LORD!” This is the plural form of the exact words Mary spoke to them in v. 18!
Thomas reveals himself to be a scoffer and doubter. In fact he is worse than a doubter. He is an extreme pessimist. He is not the one that sees the half glass of water as half empty. No, he sees it half empty and thinks the water in the glass is contaminated with e-coli!
Seeing Jesus would not be enough but he also wants to put his fingers in his wounds and his hand in his side! Eww…
He uses a double negative to express that unless he can do that he will never ever under any circumstances believe!
v. 26 – Eight days later….This is the following Sunday because they would count part of a day as a day.
It is an exact repeat of the previous week. The doors are shut, the men are gathered, Jesus appears and gives the same greeting (perhaps because of the same fear?). Funny. By this point they probably wish he would just knock on the door!
He is there for Thomas. Isn’t that great? He did not write him off and say, “Oh well. It’s his loss.” He has lost a week of being in pain and anguish longer and disbelief because he chose not to gather with the other disciples for support.
v. 27 – Jesus gets right to the point. He is a personal Savior. You must individually respond to Jesus.
“Ok, Thomas. Here I am. You have my physical presence. Start poking, prodding, and pinching Me. Make sure it’s really Me.”
You know what the sign for Jesus is that the deaf use? Touching the palms of their hands. That’s who Jesus is - the pierced One! He presents the same to Thomas.
Jesus gives us the same – “I am with you!” His name, Emmanuel tells us that – God with us!
“Look at me, Thomas and do not be an unbeliever! Believe. Do not unbelieve.”
He says the same to each us.
3. Thomas gave worship and belief. (vv. 28-31)
What is Thomas’ immediate reaction to Jesus’ offer of His presence? WORSHIP! MY Lord! MY God! Personal relationship. This is the only legitimate response. When Jesus is present, you worship.
Notice Jesus does not reject or rebuke His worship. He receives it because He is God and He is Lord!
…no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:3b
Do you remember the wise men that came to Jesus as a child? Do you recall what they did? Exactly! They presented gifts and they worshiped. Christmas at Easter.
After this Thomas no longer doubted or exhibited unbelief. In fact history records that he became a bold witness and later goes to India as a missionary. Many churches in India today trace their origins to Thomas.
v. 29 – Jesus receives the worship and then follows up with correction and a gentle rebuke.
“Right response, Thomas, but it’s a blessing to believe and worship without seeing Me.”
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
1 Peter 1:18
If you know Jesus as Savior, Jesus is saying that you are blessed even more than His disciples because you have believed without seeing His physical presence.
There is also a warning inherent in that statement about seeking signs! It’s better to believe without seeing signs.
vv. 30-31 – Here is the point of studying this book that we have been in for over 2 ½ years!
Jesus did a lot more than what John wrote about. I have mentioned some of those as we have gone along. You can read about them in the other gospels.
“but” – However John included what was necessary so that we might believe Jesus is not just a good man or religious teacher. He wrote this so you would believe He is the God-Man. He is Messiah and as a result we should respond like Thomas in belief and worship.
He wants you to have life through His name. Will you give your worship and belief to Jesus?
Conclusion: What is the best gift you have ever received at Christmas or other time? A car, money, jewelry, a baby? The best gift you can receive is the same one that the disciples got at Easter. Jesus offers His peace, authority, the Holy Spirit, and His presence. Have you received them?
The gift we can give in return is the same He received. We can believe and worship Him? You can when “Christmas comes at Easter.”
