John 20:24-31 (NRSV)
Read John 20:24-31 on biblegateway.com
Verse 24But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. Verse 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
Verse 26A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Verse 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Verse 28Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Verse 29Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Verse 30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. Verse 31But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Devotion
When I was a senior at seminary in 1961, the bookstore sold prints of a line drawing by a fellow student depicting Jesus showing the wounds in his hands. As I recall, it was called 'Some Doubted.' Doubting has never been limited to Thomas. Doubt is usually part of the faith journey of most believers. It is the theme for the second Sunday of Easter every year. Unfortunately, those most troubled by doubt usually absent themselves on 'Doubter's Sunday,' and thus never get to hear how compassionate and non-judgmental Jesus was with Thomas.
Again the doors were shut, or locked, and Jesus came and stood among his disciples anyhow. He greeted them all, "Peace be with you." Every gathered congregation today is still like that locked room in the first century since, just like just the disciples: some doubt, some are seeking, some are troubled, and some believe. "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." All of us are welcome, even if we are plagued with doubts. That is why the Scriptures were "written so that [we] may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing [we] may have life in his name."
Prayer
Lord, I want to believe. Help my unbelief. Thank you for not rejecting me for my doubts. Thank you also for placing me into a community gathered around your Word. All of us struggle and cannot believe on our own. We are all here by your grace and patient love. Christ is Risen! It's only by grace can we say that we can boldly add the word “Indeed.” Amen.