Narrator 1: On the evening of that first day of the week, even though the disciples had locked the doors of the place where they were for fear of the officials, Jesus came and stood before them.
Jesus: Peace be with you.
Narrator 2: When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced.
Jesus: Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.
Narrator 1: Then Jesus breathed on them.
Jesus: Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of others, they are forgiven them; if you hold them bound, they are held bound.
Narrator 2: It happened that one of Jesus’ followers, Thomas (the name means twin), was absent when Jesus came.
Other Disciples: We have seen the Lord!
Thomas: I’ll never believe it without probing the nail prints in his hands, without putting my finger in the nail marks and my hand into his side.
Narrator 1: A week later, the disciples were once more in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Despite the locked doors, Jesus came and stood before them.
Jesus: Peace be with you. Take your finger, Thomas, and examine my hands. Put your hand into my side. Do not persist in your unbelief but believe!
Thomas: My Lord and my God!
Jesus: You became a believer because you saw me. Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed.
Narrator 2: Jesus performed other signs as well — signs not recorded here — in the presence of his disciples. But these have been recorded to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through this faith you may have life in his name.
John 20.19-31