Who do you and I know that lives in constant fear?
I think Thomas was living in constant
fear that first week after Jesus’s death, which led to his doubts. He was so
confused by Jesus’s death and probably afraid for his own life, too.
John 20:24-29 24 Now Thomas (also
known as Didymus), 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.”
Jesus’s
resurrection offered peace in fear! Jesus offered peace to doubting and fearful
Thomas. Jesus met Thomas where he was, offered for him to do the very thing he
requested, and showed he heard Thomas’s words from the previous week.
We can extend
that same peace to those around us who are also living with doubts and fears. Many
people lack true peace and joy that can only come from a relationship with our all-knowing,
all-powerful Creator who rose victorious over death! Because Jesus rose, we can
have peace knowing those who believe will also rise from the dead and join
Jesus for all eternity.