John 20:26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
Today, I want to focus on verse 29: Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Sunday’s message enlightened me that Jesus was blessing me when He said those words, but I don’t feel I earned that blessing. I am Doubting Thomas in so many ways.
John 20:27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.”
I fret and fear, worry and wonder. I have endured crises of faith where, like Thomas, I have demanded, angry, bitter, grief-stricken, that “Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in His side, I will not believe.” I have been that obdurate, yet Jesus still loves me fiercely enough to reassure me that He’s there in my wilderness, that it’s really Him, despite my fears.
John 20:28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Lord, I have always seen the first part of verse 29 as an accusation to Thomas, but that’s not who You are. You show Thomas Your scars because You love him and want Him to experience Your peace. Thank you for responding to my doubts, my fears, in love and compassion, not censure. Thank You that we are all deeply blessed because we are Your fiercely loved children. Amen.
John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”
Have a blessed day. I love you.