My Lord and my God
Today's focusJesus meets Thomas's doubt with patience, inviting him to touch his wounds; Thomas responds with the great confession, 'My Lord and my God.'
Read
24But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28And Thomas answered and said unto him, My LORD and my God. 29Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Reflection
When the other disciples shared that they had "seen the Lord," Thomas could not bring himself to believe it. He needed his own proof, insisting he must see "the print of the nails" and touch the wounds for himself. If you have ever felt left behind by the joy of others or struggled with honest questions, you can find comfort here. Jesus does not turn away from Thomas’s requirements for faith. Instead, after eight days, Jesus appears specifically to meet Thomas in his doubt.
Standing "in the midst" of them, Jesus offers a blessing of peace. With great patience, he invites Thomas to "reach hither thy finger" and touch his side. Jesus does not shame Thomas for his struggle; he provides exactly what is needed to move him from being "faithless" to "believing." This personal encounter leads Thomas to the profound confession: "My Lord and my God." Jesus honors this honest journey, reminding us that while there is a special blessing for those who believe without seeing, he is still present and patient with those of us who are still seeking.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
What doubts do you carry, and how does Jesus' gentleness with Thomas encourage you to bring them to him?
Pray
Lord Jesus, you were patient with Thomas, and you are patient with me. I bring you my doubts honestly. With Thomas I say, 'My Lord and my God.'