If your
worship this Sunday includes John 20:19-31 (one of the Revised Common
Lectionary texts for the second Sunday of Easter), you might want to consider
reading the passage from The Voice, a unique new translation
of the New Testament published by Thomas Nelson. Here it is:
John 20:19-31
Narr: On that same evening (Resurrection Sunday),
the followers gathered together
behind locked doors
in fear that some of the Jewish
leaders in Jerusalem
were still searching for them.
Out of nowhere, Jesus appeared in
the center of the room.
Jesus: May each one of you be at peace.
Narr: As he was speaking,
He revealed the wounds in His hands
and side.
The disciples began to celebrate
as it sank in that they were really
seeing the Lord.
Jesus: I give you the gift of peace.
In the same way the Father sent Me,
I am now sending you.
Narr: Now He drew close enough to each of them
that they could feel His breath. He
breathed on them:
Jesus: Welcome
the Holy Spirit of the living God.
You now have the mantle of God’s
forgiveness.
As you go, you are able to share the
life-giving power to forgive sins,
or withhold forgiveness.
Narr: All of the eleven were present with the
exception of Thomas.
He heard the accounts of each brother’s
interaction with the Lord—
how they had seen him and talked
with him.
Thomas: Until
I see His hands,
feel the wounds of the nails,
and put my hand to His side,
I won’t believe what you are saying.
Narr: Eight days later, they gathered again
behind locked doors
and Jesus reappeared.
This time Thomas was with them.
Jesus: May each one of you be at peace.
Narr: He drew close to Thomas and said:
Jesus: Reach out and touch Me.
See the punctures in My hands;
reach out your hand and put it to My
side;
leave behind your faithlessness and
believe.
Thomas (filled
with emotion): You
are the one true God
and
Lord of my life.
Jesus: Thomas, you have faith because you have seen Me.
Blessed are all those who never see
Me
and yet they still believe.
Narr: Jesus performed many other wondrous signs
that are not written in this book.
The accounts are recorded so that
you, too,
might believe that Jesus, the
Liberating King,
is the Son of God,
because believing grants you the
life He came to share.
~ Scripture
taken from The Voice™. Copyright ©2006, 2007, 2008 by Ecclesia Bible
Society. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.
