In this sermon, we looked at Jesus' resurrection appearance in John 20:24-29. The week after the resurrection, rumors and threats were being perpetuated by the Pharisees, which made believing in the resurrection not only difficult but also dangerous. As the disciples hide in fear, the others tell Thomas that they have seen Jesus but Thomas says that he won’t believe unless he can touch Jesus’ physical body. Eight days after the resurrection, Jesus appears again to the disciples and, this time, Thomas is present. Knowing what Thomas wants, Jesus invites him to touch His wounds from the cross. Upon seeing Jesus and hearing His voice, Thomas immediately believes and declares, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus meets Thomas right where he is in his doubts and fears and gives Thomas what he needs without even being asked. This is how Jesus meets us as well! Despite what we ask for, or even demand, of Jesus, He knows what we actually need. The way that Jesus reveals His wounds to Thomas reminds us that Jesus still shows up in our lives in unexpected ways to give us what we really need: Himself.
