Jesus’ Appearance to Thomas

from Google Images

We are told that after eight days, Jesus once again appeared to the Twelve (John 20:26). Most scholars believe this means eight days after the resurrection, which places his visit on the following Sunday. But, this isn’t true! The Passover was an eight-day festival commemorating the Jews’ coming out of bondage. Jesus, the Passover Lamb, was crucified on the first day of that festival, so the eighth day would have been Wednesday, eight days after Jesus was crucified. Leaven, a type of sin, had to be removed from each home on the first day, but as circumstance would have it, men really aren’t that good at being perfectly obedient.

 

One Flock and One Shepherd

from Google Images

Currently we are in a study of the Gospel of John, and specifically concluding the events of Jesus’ visit to Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles, 29 AD, a year and a half before his crucifixion, according to my estimation. John’s record revolves around seven public signs or miracles. There were other miracles, of course, but John chose to bear witness of what Jesus said and did and how others responded, as that pertained to those seven miracles. Four were done in or near Galilee, and three were done in or near Jerusalem. We’ve already considered the miracle of changing water into wine at Cana (John 2), the healing of the nobleman’s son (John 4), the healing of the man who was impotent for 38 years (John 5), feeding the 5000 (John 6), Jesus’ walk on the waters of the Sea of Galilee (John 6); and at this point we are concluding our study of the sixth miracle, the healing of the man born blind (John 9). Presently, we’ll be dealing with John 10:16- 21, which will conclude what was said and done on the Last Great Day of 29 AD.