Dear Family and Friends,

“My Lord and my God!”  John 20:28 NIV

These were the words of Thomas, the apostle we often refer to as Doubting Thomas, once he believed.

Can you imagine living an eternity with that nickname? Which, if we’re being honest, causes many of us to look down on Thomas.

We’re all familiar with his story. Having missed Jesus’ first appearance with the disciples, Thomas would not believe his friends. No words, not even those of his closest friends, could convince him to believe that Jesus was resurrected.

Instead he exclaimed, “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 NIV

Thomas not only needed to see Jesus to believe, he needed to touch Him as well. And with that Thomas earned his nickname, one that I believe is unfair.

Allow me to explain why.

We begin with Peter and John at the tomb after they learned it was empty. (See John 20:1-10)

In John 20:8, John tells of how he finally joined Peter inside the tomb. And once he did, “He saw and believed.”

What did John see that convinced him?

John 20:6-7 describes what Peter saw, “He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.”

No one knows for certain why John described that cloth in such detail. But when John stepped into the tomb and saw it, John believed Jesus was alive.

John believed after he saw.

Now let’s look at Mary Magdalene‘s encounter with Jesus found in John 20:14.

When Mary first saw and spoke with Jesus she did not realize it was Him.

“At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.”

But when Jesus called out her name – “Mary” – she recognized Him.

“She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).”  John 20:16 NIV

Mary believed after Jesus called her name.

Later that first Sunday, we find the disciples together behind locked doors, fearful of the Jewish leaders.

By this time the disciples had heard that Jesus was alive. Peter and John had likely shared what they found at the empty tomb. And Mary shared how she had seen the Lord. (See John 20:18)

The disciples had good reasons to believe. Yet they hid in fear.

Until, “Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”  John‬ ‭20‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The disciples believed after they saw Jesus and His wounds.

As we can see, Thomas wasn’t the only one who needed proof that Jesus was indeed alive.

There was something about the cloth that reminded John of Jesus.

There was something in the way Jesus called Mary that reminded her of Jesus.

The wounds convinced the disciples that He was indeed Jesus.

And Thomas felt he needed to touch the wounds on Jesus.

Let’s look at this story from another perspective, that of Jesus.

Jesus knew John would need something extra to believe He was alive. So He left a burial cloth in a way that perhaps only John would recognize.

He called out Mary’s name, perhaps in a familiar way that Mary would recognize.

He showed the disciples His wounds.

And when he saw Thomas, the first thing He said was, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” ‭‭ John‬ ‭20‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

And believe Thomas did. To the point of declaring Jesus was God.

Jesus didn’t just show up and expect them to believe. No, He knew they needed more. And He provided without hesitation nor judgment, the proof that was necessary.

Jesus feels the same way towards us. He wants us to overcome any doubts that may linger within us.

He wants us believe Who He is. And will do what He must to help us.

The most familiar passage from this story follows. It speaks about us.

“Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””  John‬ ‭20‬:‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Yes, we are blessed. Now let me share why.

Jesus’ friends were able to see Jesus, and then they believed.

We are blessed because after having believed, we see.

What do we see?

The blessing of God’s presence in our lives now and for all eternity. We see how Jesus cares for our souls. How He comforts us in difficult times. Gives us peace in the midst of turmoil. And joy when happiness escapes us.

And most of all, we see how our Lord and our God loves us always.

In love always,