3rd July 2012 John 20:24-29 Thomas the Apostle

Jesus Appears to Thomas
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “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.”. A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”. Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”. Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Today is the day of doubting Thomas, today we can be thankful that even the disciples had doubts. They knew Jesus, lived with Jesus, saw his ministry and the miracles; yet it was still hard to believe.

What reassurance this is when we find believing hard; what help it is to know Jesus understands.