David Bahn – Reflections

John 20:26-31

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” ²⁸ Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

³⁰ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

A careful reading of Genesis 1:9-13 (the third day of creation) reveals that it is the day of double blessing. Twice during that day, God pronounces it “good.” Clearly the third day after Jesus’ death was a day of double blessing: Jesus rose from the dead. I believe we are living in the “day” (figuratively-speaking) of Jesus’ double blessing; a new third day. It’s a challenge to explain, but bear with me…

Jesus rose from the dead, the first day of the week – and the most significant “third day” of the Bible, the day of victory over sin and death. He appeared to the disciples in the evening of the first day of the week. Thomas wasn’t present on that first Easter evening. But “eight days later” Jesus appears again, when Thomas is present, offering peace and proof of his resurrection.

There seems to be fairly widespread agreement that this “eight days later” refers to the following Sunday as the day on which Jesus appeared. My study, however, has not convinced me that such is the case. I may be wrong about the phrase, “after eight days”; but the simplest reading would make this the following Monday. That would be the second day of the week. So where is the third day? It is implied in Jesus’ words: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  John adds the testimony: “…these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

The third “third day” is the era of God’s favor and blessing to all who have faith in Jesus Christ. We live in that era! In Israel today, observant Jews often schedule weddings on Tuesday: the day of double blessing. It might give you a new and different way of looking at Tuesday each week.

Whether it was Sunday or Monday when Jesus appeared to Thomas, and whether we live in some sort of specifically symbolic “third day” era today, the fact is that Jesus died and rose again. He appeared to his disciples, and Thomas with a greeting of peace. Whatever day it is, we live in the era of God’s blessing, by the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith. It is the day of life in Jesus’ name.