Faced with this experience of Jesus now
transformed and sovereign beyond the limits of space and time, what is Thomas’
response? In the original Greek, Thomas’ outcry consists of six words, kyrios mou kai ho theos mou (20:28). In
English this confession is rendered powerfully as: “my Lord and my God!”
Upon a moment’s reflection it is soon
apparent that Thomas’ words wonderfully affirm Jesus’ majestic standing and at
the same time express a now deeply help personal allegiance. In these aspects
it is reminiscent of Mary Magdalene’s use of “my Lord.” Yet clearly Thomas’
final words now express an even greater range and solemnity.
As it now stands within John’s Gospel there
are several important dimensions of meaning attendant to Thomas’ confession . .
. First, Thomas’ confession unmistakably
conveys and unsurpassed christological meaning and thus serves as a fitting
summit point a Gospel that is so manifestly concerned with Jesus’ exalted
status. Thomas’ acclamation is indeed reminiscent of John’s prologue
statements that Jesus was with God
and was God. And thus John approaches
the conclusion of His Gospel and an acclamation that attests to Jesus’ divine standing
in a way that is fully comparable to what he himself stated at the beginning.
Second, Thomas’ words also have meaning in
terms of the theme of belief. Reluctant to believe without a direct experience of
the risen Jesus, Thomas’ confession now indicates his complete and unqualified
belief in Jesus. Yet as Jesus’ words in response to him make clear. Thomas’
faith is one that has been arrived at one on the basis of seeing. And blessed
even more are those who believe without seeing (20:29).
Third . . .the fact that Thomas’ confession expresses in the strongest possible way his personal
allegiance to Jesus . . . It is the double presence of the personal adjective, my, with the words of exalted identity, “Lord”
and “God” which accomplish this effect. Jesus has surpassed objective
status as the Lord and God of the universe. However, he is more than that in
relation to Thomas. For Thomas, in addition, Jesus, is indisputably my Lord and my God. (Richard J. Cassidy, John’s
Gospel in New Perspective [Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 1992], 38-39,
italics in original, emphasis in bold added)
