Journey to the Cross

Pause

Peace be with you.

Listen

After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!”

Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”

John 20:26-28

Think

After eight days? Eight days!

Thomas explained to the other disciples what it would take for him to believe they had seen Jesus. It took Jesus eight days to fill his request. I can’t help but wonder what Thomas did during those eight days. Did Thomas’ struggles intensify as he continued to ponder his conditions for belief? How many conversations did he have with the other disciples about the details of their encounter with the risen Lord?

And what did Jesus do during those eight days?

We live in a time of instant gratification. When a video or song is “buffering” due to a poor internet connection, we don’t know what to do. But our relationship with God is not like a scratch-off lottery ticket. We can’t make requests (or demands) of God and expect to be instantly notified that we either won or lost. God works in God’s time. And the result is, “Peace be with you.”

Tyler Spradling

Pray

God of eternity, I recognize that your time is not calculated in the same way as mine. As I grow impatient, as my doubts and questions multiply, help me hear you say, “Peace be with you.” Amen.

Go

You might have come here in pieces. Receive the Holy Spirit. Go in peace.