After Jesus’ resurrection, it would take a while for the news to spread.  And even among some of His disciples, there were still some doubts about the stories that were being told.  The most famous of the doubters is Thomas.  

Evidently he wasn’t present when Jesus first appears to the disciples.  I don’t know where he was or what he was doing, but for whatever reason, he was not at the meeting when Jesus showed up.  And despite the witness of the other disciples, Thomas declares defiantly, ‘I won’t believe until I see…” 

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin,was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 

John 20:24-25

Most of us are not as audacious as Thomas, but we live very much by the motto, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it.” We are suspicious and mistrustful of one of God and one another.  We’ve been disappointed and let down before, so we reserve our hopes and limit our faith to what we can confirm – which is ironically the opposite of what faith is supposed to be. 

Graciously, Jesus obliges Thomas and shows up. Jesus reveals himself and allows Thomas to touch his wounds. Jesus shows and shares his scars. 

Thomas is not alone in his doubts, huh?  We are surrounded by those in our families, on our jobs, in our neighborhoods, in our circle of friends who have doubts about who Jesus really is.  They want proof.  The temptation may be to debate with them – to try to convince them through compelling arguments – but honestly I never met anyone who became a Christian because of an argument.    Maybe we should learn from Jesus’ example.

Jesus reveals his scars.  He makes himself vulnerable by allowing Thomas to see and handle his wounds – to witness personally the truth of the Resurrection.  I wonder if some of the doubt we encounter in the world is because we’ve been conditioned to hide our scars rather than reveal them as evidence of God’s grace and power! We stifle God’s glory by concealing our own stories of healing and resurrection.  Something to think about, huh?

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!

John 20:27-28

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam