by Karen Taggart
SCRIPTURE: John 20: 24-29 (NIV): “24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 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.’ 26 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!’ 27 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.’ 28 Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”
Doubt is not the opposite of faith. Resurrection faith is where we have faith in God and we must trust and believe even though we cannot prove what we are putting our trust in.
Thomas doubted Jesus’ resurrection but he did not lose his faith. He did not leave the disciples when they told him Jesus had risen. Thomas knew that remaining with a community of believers was necessary. He acted upon his curiosity, and when Jesus appeared, Thomas was able to visibly see and feel Jesus’ wounds. Faith was resurrected in Thomas and he declared, “My Lord and my God!”
His experience with Jesus changed everything in Thomas’ life, and when Thomas met someone who had doubts about the resurrection, he was able to proclaim it was true.
Listen more to God and less to your doubts. We all experience doubts, but do we have faith to believe God will hold us by our right hand? We must trust in the Resurrection! “Christ is risen!” “He is risen indeed!”
Make this your mantra. “Lead me where you need me, Lord.”
PRAYER: When we have doubts, Lord, help us remember that our faith in you is stronger than our doubts. We know that you are there to walk with us through any situation, holding us by our right hand. Amen.