Understanding the gifts of Easter – week 4

You might be wondering, why we are still talking about Easter, when it is the first day of May? But as we begin to understand the gifts of Easter, we see they are actually the building blocks of our faith.

Last week, we saw the disciples locked up with fear, yet Jesus still comes to them. This week, we find disbelief, and yet Jesus still comes. God is always showing up for us. Today is no different.

Read and reflect on John 20:24-30;

“Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 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.”

²⁶ 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!” ²⁷ 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.”

²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Last week, those closest to Jesus were locked up in fear. This week, they are locked up with disbelief. Sounds a lot like us, if you ask me. But, let’s get real for a moment. Do you ever doubt? Maybe you doubt you are going to get that job, or wonder if God is ever going to heal you? You might feel like you will never be able to get out of debt? You might even wonder if all this God stuff is even real.

Doubts are normal and most of us have them. But Jesus teaches us to “Stop doubting and believe.”

For those of us who doubt, this may seem impossible. But this passage should be such encouragement for us. Even in our disbelief, Jesus still comes to us. He does not shun us or even reject us. He comes to us, revealing who He really is and patiently waits for us.

A few weeks back, we discovered wonder which keeps us open to possibilities. It is our gateway to God. However, wonder and doubt are closely related. Both deal with the unknown. Doubt is nothing more than a feeling of uncertainty. It is that logical part of our brain that says, “I’m not sure about this.” But it is our own personal experience that shows us the difference in the two.

Last week, we saw the disciples locked up for fear. They obviously had doubts about what was going on. Jesus appeared, settling their fears, and breathed the Holy Spirit upon them.

Unfortunately, Thomas was not there. He missed it. I can only imagine how aggravated he must have felt to have missed out on this amazing experience. And then, to have to listen to his friends boast about it. In his frustration, he blurted out, “unless I see for myself, I will not believe!”

One week later, while they were all locked up in that same room, Jesus came and stood before Thomas saying, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ 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.”

This should give us all hope. Thomas gets such a bad wrap for his doubting. I cannot even count the number times I have doubted God. But, just like Thomas, when we find ourselves in situations beyond our control, rest assured, God has a purpose!

When Jesus appeared this time, He did not come to show Himself to the group, but directly to Thomas. We can be confident that Jesus will make Himself known to us in spite of our doubts. Because when we experience Christ, like Thomas, we will proclaim, “My Lord and my God!” In these moments, we have no choice but to stop doubting and believe!

Doubting is human nature, but the cure is our personal relationship with Jesus. Look at your life. Recount the times God has shown up for you in the midst of your doubting. Remember all the miracles you have experienced. Write them down so that later, when you find yourself in a situation of fear, doubt and confusion, you can reflect on them and remember. God is good, all the time!

“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Let us pray;

Father God, we believe, heal our unbelief.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

P.S. Leave me a comment because I love hearing from you. Forward this message to a friend or share it on Facebook. Until next time, “stop doubting and believe.” -M