Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. John 20:29 (NIV)

Thomas, born a Jew in Galilee, was a disciple. He was willing to follow Jesus even under the threat of death, and he questioned Jesus about what was coming next during the last supper. After Jesus had ascended, Thomas travelled spreading the Gospel and ended up in India, where he was martyred. We can’t glean a great understanding about his past and the disposition of his heart that led him to his famous ‘moment of doubt.’ But I can understand if the death of Jesus threw him a little and affected whether he believed…

After he had resurrected, Jesus started appearing to His disciple's and followers. Word got back to Thomas, and he famously said “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

Thomas was angry, heartbroken, shattered… He had great expectations and was now facing not just the death of his mentor, but the dreams and hopes Jesus had awakened within him. It astounds me that us ‘modernites’ assume we would have been different at that moment. We have the glorious gift of history to fall back on. This is a picture of Thomas’s raw humanity. One I think many of us can relate to.

Jesus faithfulness knocks me off my feet – when he appeared in the house the disciples had gathered in, Thomas would have seen His wounds and the proof he needed… But Jesus didn’t leave without giving Thomas the opportunity to FEEL His hands, touch His side and get intimately acquainted with His sacrifice. God was answering Thomas’s cries and showing himself faithful. Perhaps this moment was his awakening, the catalyst for life-long faith.

Are we more blessed because we haven’t seen Jesus in the flesh and we believe?

Not being blinded by hurt and negativity – that's a blessing. Not being guarded because of abuse and neglect – that's a blessing. Maintaining child-like faith in a world growing ever cynical and suspect – that's a blessing. I think that's what we can learn here. Don’t harden your heart or bury your dreams when things change course, keep them alive and soft with faith. AND if you EVER find yourself doubting, DON’T STAY QUIET. Ask your questions, seek JESUS… He is faithful always and through everything.

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