“Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.” John 20:27-28

Thomas or also called Didymus was one of the twelve disciples, known as doubting Thomas. His personality was more pessimistic than optimistic. He certainly loved the Lord, but always erred on the side of … this is the way it is! When Jesus went to raise Lazarus from the died, it was Thomas who said in John 11:16 “Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Therefore, after the resurrection of our Lord, Thomas was not in place for whatever reason; but when he did reassemble with the other disciples, he flatly refused to believe the report and emphatically stated that unless he himself was able to handle the Lord he would not believe. “The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Thomas demands to see for himself; this reminds me of God’s line of questioning with Job… “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.” Job 38:4. God has divine providence, and we are totally unable to comprehend the wisdom and power of our almighty God! Yet, God is so gracious and loving, He meets each of us just where we are in our walk and relationship with Him.

Jesus grants Thomas his desire to handle Him, can you imagine Thomas mind when Jesus appears in the room and says to him, “Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” All possible rationality had to stop in Thomas’ mind as he beheld his Savior… and he never reached his hands out to touch Jesus, but proclaimed with all his might, “My Lord and my God!”

Over nineteen centuries later we are each able to see and have a personal encounter with our risen Savior; whither we waver or not, He will reveal Himself to us all. Praise God when Jesus lives in our hearts especially during those darkest moments of doubt, unbelief, or fear . . . He shows up and we will proclaim as Thomas… My Lord and my God!

God’s grace and mercy keep you all!