One of the disciples was not with the others the first time Jesus appeared in their midst. Even with Mary Magdalene’s first-hand testimony as well as the eye-witness accounts of all of his friends, Thomas just could not accept that Jesus was alive. We usually think of “Doubting” Thomas as the knuckle head who couldn’t get it right. We see his stubbornness to accept what we profess as truth, but when we think about it, Thomas is probably more like us in this regard than we want to admit. This was no small claim that his friends were making, sure, Jesus spoke of such things, but all teachers use rhetoric to communicate for impact. Thomas needed tangible evidence if he was going to believe such lunacy! Then it happened, as Thomas was with the others later in the upper room, Jesus suddenly appeared, not entering through a door or window, they were locked for fear of people coming to arrest them. No, He just appeared, and He invited Thomas to see and feel for himself the evidence of His death and proof of His resurrection. Thomas went from a faith in head knowledge, hearing and being willing to follow Jesus, to a heart knowledge, trusting in his Savior Jesus! Jesus’s words, “Peace be with you.” would define Thomas’ purpose for life for the rest of his days!