John 20:24-29, Jesus and Thomas

24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although 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, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Thomas assumes the other disciples have seen some sort of ghost. He is not persuaded by their testimony but demands precise, physical evidence, the same they received, for himself. Amazingly, on the following Sunday, Jesus answers his request (demand) and then commands Thomas to believe. Thomas’ answer is the climax of the gospel and the conclusion John wants all readers to reach: “My Lord and my God!” The Gospel of John has come full circle. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is God incarnate. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is God our Lord.

O God, by whose power Christ was raised from the dead, so that the worst that men could do had no dominion over him, lay thy hand in loving tenderness on all who need this message most. Because the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost, we pray—

For those who have lost their dear ones and whose hearts are sad;

For those who have lost their health and vitality;

For those who have lost their youth;

For those who have lost their livelihood;

For those who have lost opportunities;

For those who have lost patience;

For those who have lost their faith;

For all, we pray, who are wounded in the battle of life and are nigh unto despair.

Give to us all such a vision of Christ’s risen glory that we, too, may trust his power; that we, too, may know that nothing can separate us from thy loving purposes or finally defeat thy will.

So may we rise up from all our distress and despair and take heart again; walk with Christ, the companion of our souls, to whatever lies in store for us, to find at last that faith has its own reward, that we have not missed our way, that the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which seemed lost for ever.

We ask it though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Leslie D. Weatherhead, 1883-1975