Proof!

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Published: Thursday, 31 March 2016 13:25

Written by James Dean

"...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." (John 20:25)

That was Thomas' claim when the other disciples  told him they'd seen Jesus. He'd appeared to Mary outside the tomb earlier that day (v11f) and then that evening he entered the upper room where the 10 disciples had locked themselves in hiding (v19f): but Thomas hadn't been there. Thomas wasn't going to take the other disciples' word for it - he wanted to see Jesus for himself; know the truth for himself. Thomas gets a bad rap for this. He's known by many today as "doubting Thomas", but he doesn't stay "doubting" for very long.

Eight days later and again the disciples are locked in the Upper Room (v26) but this time Thomas is with them as well. Sure enough, Jesus somehow appears right in the middle of them. He ignores all the others and immediately says 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." (v27).

For all his disbelief, scripture doesn't record for us that Thomas stopped to conduct a thorough medical examination. It doesn't even tell us that he touched Jesus' wounds at all. Thomas just exclaims those wonderful words, "My Lord and my God!" When you think about it, those are incredible words for a Jew to exclaim about another human being. However, the "doubter" is no longer in any doubt about who this is. It's Jesus. It's the Lord. It is God incarnate. He is risen!

"Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (v29) Jesus' words give a wonderful blessing for the likes of you and me. So how about it? Have you believed? If not, what's holding you back?

 John doesn't record exactly what happened next but I feel sure that as the truth and wonder of the situation sank in, Thomas ran into Jesus' arms and hugged him. I know that's what I would have done. As we sang on Resurrection Sunday:

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