Jesus responds to Thomas' skepticism

If you find it difficult to believe or have questions about the truth of the resurrection, the story of Thomas and his encounter with Jesus is for you! (See John 20:24-29)

Thomas missed Jesus’ first resurrection appearance to his disciples. When the other disciples "told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!' Thomas stated:

"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." (John 20:25b NIV).

A week later, Jesus appears. Thomas did not miss out. Jesus responds to Thomas' skepticism. He invites Thomas to touch the nail prints and put his hand in his side where the spear had been plunged. Thomas, overwhelmed by the presence of Jesus, says, ‘My Lord and my God.’

Jesus, speaking to Thomas but addressing us today, said:

"Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29 NIV)

If you do not believe, Jesus invites you to believe. He says, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

A question to consider is,

What would it take for you to believe?

To believe is to trust in the story of Jesus. It is to trust in the reliability of the disciples and those who made the story of Jesus available to us. To believe in and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour is to open the door to God’s forgiveness and the gift of eternal life. Jesus invites you to be one of the blessed ones who believe without seeing.

Father, we thank you for the gift of your Son. We believe! Help our unbelief. As we live the life you have placed before us, may we be empowered by your Spirit and know how deeply we are loved by you. Amen.