April 27, 2025

Today's Reading: John 20:19-31

Daily Lectionary: Exodus 20:1-24; Luke 4:1-15

“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’” (John 20:24-25)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 

Thomas gets a lot of grief for not really believing that the Lord has risen, so he’s still referred to as “Doubting Thomas” and depicted in art exploring Jesus’s wounds with his fingers. It seems he will always be remembered as the one who didn’t believe. Yet, is it all that strange to be a little wary of claims that your teacher, who was very publicly executed a few days before, is walking around amongst his disciples? People don’t generally rise from the dead. Ancient people are frequently regarded as scientifically ignorant, but they knew for sure that people who died stayed dead. They knew what death was. Thomas is saying something very rational here—I’ll believe it when I see it. But he says something more. He says he won’t believe until he can see the wounds in Jesus’s hands and put his finger in the wound in his side. Thomas was one of the Twelve; this means he was one of the apostles who was closest to Jesus throughout his ministry, so he surely knew what Jesus looked like and would recognize him if he walked into the room. Why does he proclaim that he will not believe without the verification of his wounds? Thomas, for all the grief he receives, is declaring something central to our faith. He wants to know that it is our crucified Lord who is also our risen Lord because this tells him that Jesus truly has overcome the wages of sin and death, paying the penalty on our behalf. Thomas doesn’t just want to know if his teacher and friend is still alive; he wants to know that his redemption (and ours) is secured by Him. How does Jesus respond to Thomas’s declaration? He comes to Thomas and shows him his wounds, grants his request, and declares peace to him. Jesus isn’t angry at Thomas for his doubt but rather calms his fears by showing him his body. This same body is given for you at his altar. He reminds us all that though Thomas is blessed in seeing and believing, we who only hear and believe are likewise blessed. Receive the same peace spoken to Thomas, and “Taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm 34:8)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

- Deac. Eleanor Corrow, Higher Things Board Member and coordinator in LCMS Missionary Services

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.

Andrew R. Jones identifies ten lies Satan uses in attempts to dismantle God’s people and His kingdom. Find encouragement in God's Word of Truth and remember the final victory we have in our Savior, Jesus Christ.