John 20:24-29
But Thomas, one of the Twelve, the one called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.” After eight days, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Take your hand and put it into my side. Do not continue to doubt, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Dear Lord Jesus,
Your resurrection means your suffering and death were acceptable to the Father; you restored me to him through your pain and punishment. Let us share the disciple’s excitement on the evening of that first Easter when you came to them behind locked doors. Send your Holy Spirit to us, so we may believe even without seeing the marks of the scars. Yet, those scars remind us how you brought us our salvation. Your crucifixion, the nails in your hands and feet, the spear stabbed into your side to ensure you were dead, was a hoarded reality of my sins. You suffered the pain of punishment for all my sins and gave yourself to death for my actions. However, your scars mean your suffering and death were completed. Through those scars, you brought me the forgiveness of all my sins and the sins of the world. They have brought me peace. You told Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Lord, I pray you would also bless me today.
Lord, you have brought me life, the promise of salvation, and eternal life. So please provide me with opportunities to share your love, grace, and mercy with those I come in contact with today. Let me not be afraid to share the good news of what you have done for me. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Jesus died! Jesus rose! In faith, we, too, see the scars and know we are saved. Through faith, the peace of forgiveness and eternal life are ours.