Second Sunday of Easter: Gospel, John 20:19-31              

John 20:19-31

Thomas. Dear Thomas. One of the “bad rap” characters in the Bible, I say. We have, or the church world has labeled him forever as “Doubting Thomas.” I say, “Real-World Thomas.” The man had walked with and learned to love Jesus in front of his own eyes. He knew of the cruel opposition to the Nazarene as well as the accolades of fickle crowds. And while he was surely one of those scattered during the events of Jesus’ final day, Thomas would have known well what surely awaited his dear friend.

For all his “doubting,” he is the target of Jesus’ special visit to a wavering, but perhaps truly thoughtful man who hasn’t gotten over the hump of believing the impossible. Not yet, anyway. By the way, John had told us about Thomas’s doubt. Who’s to say others had it and were just silent? Just a speculation.

Jesus, as always, speaks to not only Thomas’s unbelief, but ours. And oh, how the Savior wants Thomas to believe. (cf. John 20:27) Thomas makes a grand confession upon beholding the glorified Savior with His wounds. And Jesus blesses Thomas. But then, just so we may know that we can be considered a part of the story, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (v.29). That’s you. That’s me. If we believe.

Got your blessing?