It may be wondered what Jesus meant by saying to his disciples "If someone has sins and you forgive them then these sins will be forgiven.  (But) if you withhold forgiveness for some sins then forgiveness for these sins will be withheld." With regard to the underlying themes about Law and Order, this fits in with the ability of a society to determine (to a large extent) what is right and what is wrong.  For example if  I  drive 100 km in a 40 km zone then my society has a right to accuse me of wrong-doing.  But if I am driving at the same speed on a major highway this is a different matter.

By placing this saying of Jesus here in the text, John reminds the reader that the "Authorised, Living Voice" is at work within the church.  The church continues its right to exercise moral leadership, both within the public forum and within the privacy of the confessional.   At the same time one is reminded that insofar as the "Authorised, Living Word" exists within the wider community, then such a voice or word can also be exercised by a legitimate authority,  for example in the law courts.  It is up to a society e.g. the society of a family which is a social organism based upon the natural law, or a democracy which is based upon the urban society, to constantly monitor 'the quality' of its judgments.

12.       Giving priority to faith

Thomas

20:24-30

Be faithful

[c/f religious freedom]

My Lord and My God

20:24-30  As it happened Thomas one of the twelve who was also called 'the Twin' was not with them when Jesus came.  Therefore when the other disciples said to him "We have seen the Lord" he said to them "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the place of the nails and also put my hand into his side, I will definitely not believe." Then after eight days his (Jesus') disciples were again assembled within the room.  Thomas was with them.  The doors were shut but Jesus comes again.  Standing in their midst he said "Peace to you." Then he says to Thomas. "Bring your finger here and see my

hands."  Bring your hand (here) and put it into my side.  Do not be faithless but rather be full of faith."  Thomas answered and said to him "My Lord and my God."  Jesus says to him "Have you believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Now there were many other signs that Jesus worked before the disciples which have not been written in this scroll.  But these signs here, have been written about, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

name of Him 24:30