It’s Eight Days Later

Eight Days Later

Imagine the scene if you will – Jesus’s disciples gathered together following his crucifixion and burial, on the third day, having just heard from Mary Magdalene, “I have seen the Lord!”  The doors were locked and yet suddenly Jesus stood before them in the room.  “Peace be with you,” were his first words to them.  Thomas was not with the disciples during this first appearance following the resurrection.  He missed out, missed the amazing encounter with the resurrected and living Lord.  The interesting thing is, he did not believe the account of his friends, and boldly stated, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 

In the week that followed, the sweet memory of seeing their Lord face to face and receiving his Blessing and the gift of the Holy Spirit, must have lingered in the disciples’ minds.  But I imagine the only thing that lingered for Thomas was doubt.  (Poor Thomas – forever known as the doubter.)  He wanted proof; he wanted to see the physical evidence for himself that Jesus was alive.  The scripture says eight days later, Jesus appeared to the group again, and this time Thomas was there.  He told Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side.  Do not disbelieve, but believe.” (John 20:27)

Thomas answered, “My Lord and my God.”  The evidence was clear, and Thomas believed, eight days later.  Jesus said to him “Have you believed because you have seen me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:28-29)

In that moment Jesus was blessing you and me, and the millions of others who would never see him face to face on the earth, but would still choose to believe. 

What about you, Dear One, have you been hanging back, not willing, or able, to believe like the because of some lingering doubt or lack of trust in the sovereignty of God? Is there hurt somewhere in your past that keeps you from seeing God as a loving Heavenly Father?  Are you perhaps held back by nagging questions no one seems to be able to answer?

I invite you to open your eyes and see Him.  See the scars, see the sacrifice, see the body, broken for you.   Seek Him, and in seeking you will find Him, and be forever changed.  Maybe for you, it’s eight days later.

~ Michelle Dowdy