John 20: 19- 31v 26 “Eight days later the disciples were together again and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked: but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them.”
That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” He said. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! “As the father has sent me, so I am sending you.” One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. “I won’t believe unless I see the nail wounds in His hands.” Eight days later the disciples were together again and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked: but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them.” “My Lord my God! Thomas exclaimed. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God, and you will have life by the power of His name.
This story is embedded in our Christian culture so much so that anyone who is having a hard time believing something is called a doubting Thomas! Thomas would not believe his friends story the Jesus who had been part of the criminal justice system at the time, sentence to death and crucified, publicly killed for all to see, was now alive. It was beyond his comprehension to believe it without seeing it for himself. Jesus gathered a group of men who were able to continue His work. Who had a variety of gifts and talents and Thomas needed to see the risen Christ for himself to be able to continue to do the work that Jesus wanted him to do. And Thomas had to wait, eight days, to have his faith confirmed in the way he needed it. Knowing beyond any doubt that Jesus was alive, Thomas went out to continue the job Jesus has planned for him. More and more each day I find my doubts about a living God grow smaller and God grows bigger. Have faith that God will provide what you need like He did for Thomas, as He is our Lord and our God!
Prayer: Almighty God, we thank you for raising your Son Jesus from the grave as a demonstration of your power over the earth and all that is in it. Help us to go confidently into the world today knowing that you are our Lord and our God. Amen.
CrossWalk 