Nougat 30

Have you ever had a Thomas day? When you just need proof that God is present with you? Or maybe you have related to a ‘Thomas’, and didn’t have a response for them. If so, please consider today’s Holy Nougat

“They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”” ‭‭John‬ ‭20:25, 27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Before we condemn Thomas, let’s remember his situation:

Jesus his Teacher had just been executed on very flimsy grounds of treason. Flimsy, because those who had Him arrested felt threatened by Jesus‘s theology.

The remaining disciples, particularly the males, went underground (or in their case above stairs); either for fear of the possible repercussions on followers of Christ (see verse 19).

At least one had contemplated suicide and followed through on the thought; so they were probably also processing Judas’ act of betrayal. They were all understandably overwhelmed.

Thomas had not been at the Above Stairs meeting. However, when he did connect with them; it was to the news that he missed the Most Exciting part of the meeting: the Dead Jesus – whom he Thomas witnessed die – was ALIVE! How absurd. No one had EVER before raised themselves up from death!

Now let’s reflect on our 21st century Thomas.

• What would have distanced our Thomas from the fellowship of believers?

• Are there extenuating conditions that may cloud Thomas’ judgement?

How then, do we move Thomas past denial to Life in Fullness? The second part of our Nougat gives us the clue: Jesus offered Thomas his own chance to see Him (albeit before his disciple colleagues as witnesses to the fact).

I hasten to note that Jesus didn’t simply appear and leave it there. Jesus revised each point Thomas made – the insistence that he Thomas would have to See AND Touch in order to believe. And rather than reprimand him, Jesus convicted Thomas’ heart.

We cannot reenact the Above Stairs moment literally. But we most definitely can invite Jesus to present Himself to the Thomases within and around us. We can seek for signs of Jesus’ presence and offer them to Thomas. And we pray. That the Thomases in our lives might come to the understanding that Jesus is really and truly Real.

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May all we seek be found in Christ