(Study Outline sourced from “The System Bible Study” – “The Book of Life” [Zondervan])
(11). The Disciples Fail To Convince Thomas Of Jesus’ Resurrection
“Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.””
(12). The Appearance To The Disciples One Week Later In Jerusalem – The Convincing Of Thomas
“A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”” .
Finally Thomas was convinced that His Lord was raised from the dead, proving that not only was He Lord but God as well (John’s portrayal of Jesus Christ as deity). The Lord Jesus Christ then commends Thomas for his belief, as well as all who have subsequently believed although they have not seen what Thomas saw that day. “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” .
“But 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.”
(13). The Appearance To The Seven Disciples At Galilee – The Testing Of Simon
“This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.” . The disciples had now returned to their homes in Galilee and had gone back to their old jobs at the suggestion of Peter, “”I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.”” , as was the usual, but they worked all night and caught nothing. Early next morning as they returned Jesus stood on the shore but was not recognized by the disciples. Calling to them He asked, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” and their response was “no”. Instructing them to cast their net “on the right side of the boat” their catch was so large they were unable to pull the net in. It was then that He was recognized, “Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”” . Landing on the shore they saw a fire with fish already being cooked, and none asked who it was because “They knew it was the Lord.” .
Peter had denied his Lord three times and no doubt felt that he was no longer worthy of being a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ; therefore he needed to be forgiven and restored. The Lord Jesus Christ then says to him, “”Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” . Here the Lord Jesus was restoring Peter and commissioning him for the task ahead. Peter became the leading disciple as the gospel was preached, and the young church was instructed as seen in the book of Acts and in his two epistles, which formed part of the New Testament Scriptures that we have today. Peter was restored to his first love, and we are reminded of what that means as God’s servants <see Rev.2:4; Jn.14:15; 1 Pet.1:8; Jer.3:15; Acts 20:28; 1 Pet.5:2>.
Then indicating the death by which Peter would glorify God, the Lord Jesus says to Peter “Follow me” , and being concerned about John, Peter asks “Lord, what about him?” , whereupon the Lord Jesus tells Peter not to be concerned about anyone else but that “You must follow me”
(Continued…..)