My response when hearing something that sounds too good to be true is hmm…doubtful. I’ll admit, I’m a doubter. When we were kids my brother and I enjoyed our Cheerios. We learned on TV how Cheerios fortified us with “Go Power,” so he tested his power by walking into the street in order to stop the next car that went by. As he settled into his stance, I climbed a nearby tree and waited, doubtful but curious. Does he have the power? Sensing things were too quiet, our mom looked out the door and loudly called the experiment off. True power rests in a mother’s intuition.

Thomas remains the most famous doubter in history. After the resurrection, the other disciples told him they’d seen Jesus in the flesh. He responded, 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.

Jesus graciously appeared to the disciples once again, this time with Thomas present. As he presented his scars, Thomas broke down and exclaimed My Lord and my God!

Thomas had to see for himself and Jesus indulged him. As a doubter, I’m always encouraged that Jesus met Thomas in the midst of the doubts. Doubts don’t bother the Lord, in fact I think he expects them. As he told Thomas, Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. The scars of Jesus mark the end of sin’s dominion over the world. Though we cannot see them or touch them, their efficacy remains.

It’s OK to question. The Lord works with our uncertainties and helps us either overcome them or set them aside. Some fade while others may remain for a lifetime. We want to believe, but need help in our unbelief. All such wrestling is a normal, healthy aspect of faith. While you and I cannot put our hand into the side of Jesus, we can believe, even when our belief dances in a roomful of doubts. Keep in mind that it only takes a sliver of faith—in Jesus—to open ourselves up to the magnificent blessings of God.

John 20:24-29

Photo by Jon Tyson