On the evening of the day Jesus rose from the dead, on the first day of the week, the disciples were present behind closed and locked doors for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them, greeting them! He showed them his hands and his side, and the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus then commissioned them, saying that as the Father has sent him, even so he was sending them into the world. Having said these words, Jesus then breathed on them, commissioning them to be his witnesses and representatives.

Being absent from this appearance of our Lord, Thomas rejected the disciples’ testimony that they had seen the Lord, and said that he would not believe unless he saw and touched the wounds of the risen Jesus. Eight days later, the disciples were inside, with Thomas present, and though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them, and greeted them, again! Jesus then invited Thomas to examine his hands and side, and exhorted him not to disbelieve, but to believe. Thomas answered our Lord with an exclamation: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replied to him: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John the apostle testified that Jesus accomplished much in the disciples’ presence that is not included in the Gospel, but what was written was recorded that the reader might believe that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s Son, and have life through believing in his name.

Thank you, Father, for the writings of the Gospels, for through them we believe in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and are assured we have life in his name. Amen.

“[T]he work of God demands our worship of Him. His work in Creation is beyond our comprehension, and through it, He demonstrated His redemptive plan. In Genesis, He said, “Let there be light,” thus bringing the universe from darkness to illumination. His plan of redemption brings man from darkness to illumination; that is, from ignorance to understanding of Him. Through Creation, we can know God and be recipients of all of His benefits – including our redemption!

~ Vernon Whaley, Called to Worship: The Biblical Foundations of Our Response to God’s Call. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2009. Location 13.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Messiah’s Suffering and Glory, Luke 24.13-35

Book Reading
Whaley, Called to Worship