John 20:24-30 (NRSV)
Read John 20:24-30 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.
Devotion
My father was the company clerk (think Corporal O’Reilly from MASH) for his army unit in France in the spring of 1945. One day an un-coded message was received by my father: The Germans had surrendered! The war was over!
My father’s commanding officer, however, was not convinced. It could be a hoax, or worse, a Nazi ploy to lull them into a state of unpreparedness. He would not believe such a message without further proof.
All over the world, people rushed out into the streets, dancing and singing with tremendous joy. Not sure if they could believe the news, my father’s regiment did not celebrate that day.
Prayer
Gracious God, how fortunate are we to believe what we have yet to see proven. Even now we are set free to laugh and dance and sing, knowing that the final victory is assured. May we continue to pray for and have compassion on those who cannot yet believe such good news. Amen.