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

Jesus seems to already know about Thomas’s skeptical, or perhaps just plain pouty, response to missing out on Jesus’ appearance to the disciples eight days before. And yet, unlike so many sermons about poor Thomas, Jesus doesn’t scold him, doesn’t even poke fun at him. Jesus simply stands before Thomas and offers what Thomas said he needed.

We aren’t told if Thomas actually followed through with his declaration that he had to put his finger in Jesus’ hands. We are told of his immediate confession of faith: “My Lord and my God.” Words of high praise, indeed.

We worry so much that if our faith isn’t perfect, if we harbor doubts, if we have questions, that Jesus is going to be disappointed in us. That’s not at all what this story shows us. Rather, once again, we see Jesus meeting his disciples not where they think they should be, but right where they are. May we trust that Jesus will do the same for us.

Jennifer Christenson

Question to Ponder:

Consider moments of doubt or wondering you have had. Can you picture Jesus responding to you like he did to Thomas?

Pray

Loving God, thank you for meeting me where I am and not where I think I need to be. Help me to trust that you will always find me, in my faith, in my doubts, in my questions, in my hope. Amen.

Go

This IS the day that the Lord has made. Listen for the ways God’s creation offers up its praise. Then add your voice to the song, giving praise for all God has done.