John 20:25 “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.’”
Poor doubting Thomas, the apostles told him they saw Jesus. These are men that Thomas had come to know. He spent many days with each one of them. You would think he would take them at their word. Seeing Jesus was not going to be enough for him. He not only had to see Him, but he had to see the nail marks on His hands and put his fingers in His wounds. The Lord appeared to Thomas and instructed him to touch His wounds. The Bible does not say if Thomas did put his finger where the nails were or if he put his hand into His side. My guess is just seeing Jesus standing there made him say, “My Lord and my God!” I am sure Thomas never doubted again. I, on the other hand, can give doubting Thomas a run for his money. I have seen the Lord working throughout my life. He has taken me from the very shadow of death and lifted me up on high places. Many others have shared their “We have seen the Lord” stories, but yet I insist on touching the scars. I ask to see and touch his scars on a daily basis. Even though Thomas doubted, he continued to walk with Jesus and serve others in his faith. In that I can take comfort and be assured that He has not given up on me yet. Doubting can be a good thing if it makes you search out for answers. It can be a way to strengthen your faith. It can also hold us in bondage. Jesus did not rebuke Thomas, but He did give him words of advice. He told him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” I continually ask for forgiveness for having to see and touch the scars. I often wonder if I have used up my seventy times seven times of forgiveness – and I am reminded I haven’t. I continually ask myself though why I doubt the Lord. Why am I truly surprised when God shows Himself to me? I should expect this from the Lord who says He will never leave me or forsake me. I want to be the type of believer who waits in eager anticipation to see what the Lord is going to do. Instead I sit in a corner wringing my hands wondering if He will show up at all. And He does.
Lord, thank You for understanding our humanness and struggles of faith. Thank God You know our hearts!
– Michele
