Listen

Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”

But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.”

John 20:24-25

Think

We all encounter Jesus in different ways. Sometimes we get very excited about our interactions with Jesus and exclaim to others, “We have seen the Lord!” In those moments we want everyone around us to have that same encounter. As we make this announcement, we will cross paths with those who will respond as Thomas did in this scripture. They will want more.

Thomas was hurting. Thomas had just witnessed the complete destruction of everything he stood for. He watched his beloved Rabbi suffer and die and be put in a tomb. Game over. Thomas didn’t refuse to believe… he just needed more evidence. After all he had been through, I can’t say that I blame him.

I can easily identify with the disciples who exclaimed, “We have seen the Lord!” AND with Thomas, who needed more. Some days Jesus’ presence is clear to me, and some days I need a little help.

Tyler Spradling

Pray

Emmanuel, God with us, thank you for those days when I can see you clearly. Surround me with people who will point you out on those days when your presence is not so obvious. Amen.

Go

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