Thomas was not present when Jesus appeared to the disciples.  No one really knows why.  He was not there.  So his skepticism is warranted. Who could have survived the beatings?  Who could have survived the brutality of the cross?  Who?

 

When he was told that they had seen Jesus, his response is skeptical, “Until I put my finger in the holes of his hands and feet and touch his side, no way!” (Mark’s paraphrase)   He just could not believe.  He saw it all, the back laid open, the crucifixion.  No one could have survived.

 

Eight days later, Jesus appears.  His attention is only on Thomas.  “Here is my hands.  Touch.  Here is my side.  Feel.”  Thomas is in shock.  Peter was not crazy.  Jesus is alive.  “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaims.  Now he knows.

 

It is difficult to believe the event of the crucifixion, after almost 2 millenniums. The impact of the brutality of the event is lost to us.  Even with the movies and games, the physical damage can not be imagined. 

 

As with Thomas, many blow it off.  After all, it probably is a good story, mythology, or they were on drugs.  

 

Let me just point this out.  None of the disciples ever changed their accounts of the resurrected Jesus, even in the face of death.  Those who saw Jesus (500 at one time) never changed their accounts.   All died telling the same details, Jesus is alive.

 

Jesus said this, “Bless are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  We are blessed because of our belief.  We are blessed because one day we will see.  We will see Him in heaven.