Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.
John 20:25
This morning we come to our last reflection on understanding Jesus.
As we consider Jesus resurrection, we are presented with yet another example of God’s grace. We might well have thought that Jesus would have expected instant belief and trust from his disciples. After all he’d just been through it would have been the least he deserved. Yet here we have Thomas being told the other 10 disciples had seen Jesus risen from the dead – and he refused to believe. ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’
Jesus response was to say, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ The good news of the gospel is that Jesus helps us in our unbelief, he comes to us and he helps us to believe. It isn’t just Thomas who Jesus helps to believe. Listen to what Jesus said about you and me who have not the opportunity to put our hands into his wounds. ‘Because you have seen me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’
The wonder of the resurrection is that Jesus still comes to us, reaching out scarred hands and feet helping us to believe in him. To understand Jesus is to understand that he has done everything possible that we would have forgiveness of sins and eternal life in the presence of God. He came to us, lived among us, he died for us and then when he was raised from the dead still, he comes to us helping us to believe. All he asks of us is that we would answer as Thomas answered. ‘My Lord and my God!’ (John 20:28)
Have we understood Jesus? If we have there can only be the one response. Let us join Thomas as we confess, ‘My Lord and my God!’
Prayer Lord Jesus, my Lord, and my God. So often I find it hard to believe. I have so many questions, so many doubts. I am tossed from one thing to another like a boat tossed on the sea. Thank you for how you come to me, reaching out, helping, doing everything possible that I would believe. Lord I believe, help my unbelief. Amen