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John 20:24-30
“Now Thomas (also known as Didymus ), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said,“Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas,“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him,“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.”
I would gladly hear it over and over again: our Lord missing from the tomb, the disciples perplexed and amazed, God himself alive and in their midst. Part of it is the joy I share with the disciples in learning that Jesus is not dead… and part is watching people scurry around, trying to figure out what to do when God is doing the unexpected. (I am well acquainted with this feeling.) Like you and me, Thomas was not there when the disciples saw the resurrected Jesus for the first time and he longed to see, with his own eyes, proof of his faith. A week later, Thomas got his proof when Jesus said, Look, “see my hands … and believe.” (John 20.27) And we received a promise, “…blessed are those who have not seen, yet believe.” (John 20.29) These moments in the life of the first followers of Jesus, ripple out to us this day. Take a moment to thank God that his actions reach you today, that he still calls us to believe and he gives us strength and courage as we seek to follow him.