Welcomed with Open Arms

The story for the Sunday after Easter Sunday is what we've come to know as "Doubting Thomas". The risen Jesus appears to his disciples, offering them a benediction, a commission, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. But one of their number, Thomas, is missing, and his unbelief prompts another visit from the Lord. We are not told why Thomas is missing.  But we do know that he had trouble accepting what the others told him.  The other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” 

 

His response?  “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

 Thomas is criticized for doubting, but he asks for nothing more than the same experience of the risen Christ the rest of the disciples had. By the grace of God, Jesus returns a second time and offers his body as living proof to Thomas. In the presence of Jesus, Thomas discovers he did not need the proof he demanded.

Thomas’ story is our story. We are not always where we need to be. Sometimes we even find ourselves in places we should not be at all. But Jesus comes to us, seeking us out and giving us the gift of faith. Thomas is not criticized, he is not condemned. Instead Jesus loves Thomas back into a relationship and shows the disciples what the words “Peace be with you” mean when lived out.

This Easter season is an opportunity to proclaim the power of the resurrection and the grace of God, who welcomes Thomas with open arms.