Thursday, April 23, 2015
John 20:26-27 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."
A PATIENT REDEEMER
The resurrected Jesus first appeared to his disciples on Easter evening. His told them, "Peace be with you." He had offered his sinless soul as a sacrifice. He had suffered and died in their place. By raising him from the dead God the Father was saying, "Payment accepted." And so the peace of sure forgiveness was theirs.
But one disciple was absent on that Easter evening: Thomas. Thomas refused to believe his closest friends when they told him Jesus was alive. He said that unless he saw Jesus with his own eyes, and touched those wounds with his own hands, he just couldn't believe it.
And so our gentle Savior granted Thomas' request. When the disciples were gathered again. When the doors were shut. Jesus appeared before them again. And instead of a harsh rebuke, Jesus had the same powerful greeting for Thomas. He said, "Peace be with you." And then he invited Thomas to touch the wounds with his own fingers. He said, "Go ahead, put your hand into my side. Stop doubting, and believe." And Thomas found that he didn't need to fear Jesus. For his risen and living Lord and God was as patient and loving as ever.
With Christ Jesus living, we can depend on God's patience. Thomas learned that fact first hand. And his story was recorded, and preserved, so that we might know it today.
That's patience. That's our Lord.
