In the text that we have from the gospel of John, we see the Lord arriving in a locked room with some very fearful disciples. Jesus meets them in their situation and brings peace and he wastes no time in sending them out to share what they know about Jesus. Jesus also sends them out with two key features: the Holy Spirit and the admonition to forgive those who have sinned. As Jesus appears to his disciples, he knows they will need real evidence of his return, so he shows them his hands and side—first to most of the disciples and a week later to Thomas. Jesus also understands that believing in him requires real faith, that Jesus is the Son of God, even when people have not had direct contact with Jesus.
