(Audio)
So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
But Thomas said to them,
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands
and put my finger into the nailmarks
and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Do we have an inner Thomas? When we feel left out do we make such a protest of it as to all but refuse to be eventually included? How do we really feel when we hear from others, "We have seen the Lord"?
Thomas was already sorrowful because his LORD had been killed. Now he felt cut off from his community too. He found himself unable to share what they now shared. This new thing united them and gave them focus. But to him it was too strange and unbelievable to allow himself to share in it.
Thomas felt abandoned. His hope had been crushed. And this new twist seemed to him to be cruel mockery. He had been absent in their meeting in the previous week, and this no doubt due to his own sorrow. Now he tried to join them, perhaps so that they could mourn together. But this backfired. So he doubled down on his self-isolation.
Jesus came, although the doors were locked,
and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands,
and bring your hand and put it into my side,
and do not be unbelieving, but believe.”
The doors to the room and the doors to the heart of Thomas were already locked. But Jesus came in through them as if they weren't there. He came, knowing already what Thomas had asked, proving that although Thomas hadn't been aware of it, he had never been abandoned. Jesus had his eye on the heart of Thomas all along.
Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus is the one who leaves the ninety-nine to seek out the lost sheep, the one who searches the whole house for the one coin that is lost. He is the one who celebrates with a feast when the prodigal son returns (see Luke 15). He revealed himself to Thomas, in a special way addressed the doubts of the one who had the most doubts, so that we too could believe.
Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.
Jesus revealed his resurrection through Thomas to future generations with utmost clarity. It was the same flesh, with even the very same wounds, as the one whom Thomas knew to have been killed. Yet this same person could now enter even through locked doors. It was the very same flesh, but now glorified. Jesus permitted the previous absence of Thomas and his subsequent doubt so that this greater revelation could be given, so that we who do not see but believe can have greater certainty of our the truth and meaning of the resurrection.
Those who saw the LORD were blessed to see the LORD. We are blessed to believe with faith, the evidence of things unseen (see Hebrews 11:1). But it is really one and the same blessing, that of knowing the Lord Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ, and through this belief having life in his name.
Let's return to consideration of our own hearts. How likely are we to rejoice when our brothers and sisters receive and blessing that we do not receive, when we are absent from a revelation they are given? Maybe Jesus only allowed the doubt because he is looking to draw still greater faith from us. We can be sure that he will never leave us in our doubts. He will always seek us just as he did Thomas. It is not his will that any of us remains apart.
You are no longer strangers and sojourners,
but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones
and members of the household of God
Let us show concern for our brothers and sisters who feel excluded, who are suffering, who are looking for others with whom they can mourn. Let us not drive them away by only showing our best selves, our renewed minds and hearts. But let us imitate Christ, like him exposing our wounds. These wounds can more effectively bridge the gap to the lost and the despairing than can our words of glory. The wounds themselves are different now, glorified in the glory of the Son. They need not embarrass us, as they so often do. They can be a bridge of grace to others.
Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
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