John 20:24-28 
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 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.” 

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!” 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.” 

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (NIV)

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Honestly, aren’t you glad this story is in the Gospels? 

First, for those of us who struggle to believe in miracles and such, it’s good to know we’re not alone. 

Second, for those of us who have a hard time believing in miracles and such, it’s good to know miracles are real. 

Mr. Doubting Thomas discovered and declared truth bigger even than what he had been told.

Look at the last two verses in this chapter. Of all the things John wrote about, he lets us know there was a whole lot more he could have written. So much more that it would be overwhelming. It would take forever to read. 

It’s a good thing forever is forever. 

Don’t miss verse 29:

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
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You and I have the privilege of being in that room with Thomas and the others only in our imaginations, but it’s amazing what the mind’s eye can see, even from this distance. 

Imagine you’re Thomas before Jesus entered the room. Imagine how you have declared your stance. Imagine the people in the room looking at you with those eyes, knowing the truth and willing you to understand it too. 

Imagine your firm resolve, standing there in that place, double-dog daring Jesus to show up, put up, or shut up. 

You might want to be careful with those double dog dares. 

Jesus showed up, put up, and shut up the protest of a man who was learning to know better. 

Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” 

I wonder if his friends called him “Doubtless” from then on?

Thomas didn’t see and didn’t believe. Then Thomas saw and believed. Then Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

That includes you and me. 

Aren’t you glad you have something to believe in that is truer than true, even though sometimes it sounds like it’s too good to be true? 

Those who read The Lord of the Rings understand what happened after the book’s initial release. People started noticing, here, there, and everywhere, how people wrote two words in the most random places. Those two words were “Frodo lives.” 

Those words move those of us who have read those pages, and I guess, those who have only seen the movies. 

More moving words are these: “Jesus lives.” Or, as Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”

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I will embrace the delight that Jesus, who died, lives.

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Our Father, thank you for the cross, the tomb, and its emptiness. Thank you that Jesus lives. Thank you that we too can live by trusting him for the gift of life, that even though we die, we will live forever. We will live with you in all the wonderful delights you have prepared for us. Like Adam and Eve, we will walk with you. Like Mary Magdalene that day in the garden, when she was looking for Jesus and found him in the most unexpected manner, we look forward to walking with you. Please forgive us if, like Mary, we take off running because this reality is so great. Thank you that we can put our doubts firmly away in exchange for the quiet confidence of knowing and loving you forever. Amen.