Sunday 16 Apr 2023

April 16: John 20:24-29

Key Verse: John 20:27
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.’

Devotion:
When was the last time you were absolutely sure of something in your mind but when you had to face it you started to doubt? No matter how hard we try to hide our doubts, they will always show at some stage, normally at the most inappropriate moments!

Even though the disciples had been with Jesus all the time and had been taught as much as they needed to know, they still did not fully grasp the importance of the resurrection and when they were faced with it face to face, they had doubts it was real! This gospel tells us all who were present when Jesus appeared in their midst were overjoyed – but you can imagine the shock of Jesus suddenly appearing there! Thomas was not there and so doubted his fellow disciples were telling the truth…

A few days later Jesus again appeared in their locked house and Thomas was given the option to touch Him because Jesus could see the doubt in his soul: how could this be true when he saw Jesus die! Jesus knew how important it was for these chosen disciples to believe and have no doubts, this is why He came to visit them on more than one occasion after His resurrection. Thomas would travel far and wide for the rest of his life spreading the gospel as far as he could.

It is alright to have doubts in life, but if you have doubts about God then take those doubts to Him and He will give you a way of dispelling those doubts. For Thomas it was the invitation to touch Him after he appeared before him. For me it was hearing how other people had been affected by my prayers in ways which could not be explained by earthly means!

Points to Ponder:
Do you have doubts about God?

Have you admitted those doubts to Him yet?