Reach in Faith

John 20:24–31

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Even with the witness that Jesus was resurrected from the women and the other apostles, Thomas stated emphatically, “I will not believe unless I see him and touch the prints of the nails in his hands and feet.”

No one can truly know the stresses that pressed upon the apostle after Jesus’ death. We cannot judge Thomas for his insistence that he would not believe unless his human senses could register the reality of the resurrection.How would you feel if Jesus stood before you?

This piece captures the look in Jesus’ eyes as He looked at Thomas, as He stretched forth His hands inviting Thomas to touch the wounds in His hands and His side. Then with the gaze that must have pierced Thomas to his very core, He said, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.”

Thoughts from Angela Johnson

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 The 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.

26 And 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.

27 Then 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.

28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.