26 Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.”
27 Then he focused his attention on Thomas. “Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don’t be unbelieving. Believe.”
28 Thomas said, “My Master! My God!”
29 Jesus said, “So, you believe because you’ve seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.”
Poor Thomas, he gets such a bad rap. I mean, think about it! Mary told the disciples that she had seen the Risen Lord and they didn’t know what to make of it. (Mark 16:11, Luke 24:11) But then they saw him with their own eyes and believed! So why is it really so awful that Thomas, not being present with them, had a hard time believing? Thomas, didn’t have to touch the scars to believe, he saw and immediately knows who Christ really is and he shouts it! He recognizes Jesus and God as one. I used to think that last verse 29 was an admonishment to Thomas, kind of a little slap on the hands, but I actually think it was his commission to Thomas to go and tell. Jesus was sending Thomas, as he did the others in our scripture yesterday, to go out into the world to forgive and share Jesus’ message and story.
Loving God,
Thank you for your patience with us, thank you for always giving us another chance to believe and share our belief. Amen.
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