Thomas’ Easter

The message was brought by Rev. Bob Surber on 4/28/25.  Read John 20:24-31 for background of the message.

It’s the week after Easter.  Why is today Thomas’ Easter?  A week ago when Jesus revealed himself to the disciples, Thomas wasn’t there.  Today is his turn.

I used to be harder on Thomas than I am now.  There’s a little bit of Thomas in all of us.  What’s important to note is abiding faith.  God has shown us all we need to put away our doubt, but yet we do at times.  Thomas went from a doubter to making one of the greatest professions of faith in the Bible when he exclaimed My Lord and my God.

Before Jesus was crucified Lazarus had died. The disciples didn’t want Jesus to go to Bethany because it was so close to Jerusalem and it wasn’t safe for him.  Thomas is the one who said they would go with Jesus and die with him if it was necessary.  Thomas is also the one who questioned Jesus in John 14 asking Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?  Jesus told Thomas (and us)  in response I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. I find I can learn a lot from Thomas.

I don’t know how much most of the disciples saw of the trial and crucifixion. We know John was there and Peter was following afar off after the arrest, but we don’t know about the others. It was a horrible time; the disciples needed each other.  They needed to stick together, exactly what we should do today.  All the disciples were suffering. We suffer. We have Jesus with us. The disciples did too even though they didn’t know it.

On that first Easter Mary Magdalene told them Jesus was alive, risen from the dead. She had seen him. The disciples were gathered that evening,  but Thomas wasn’t there. Jesus showed himself after he had suffered and died in our place just a few days before. Now, risen from the dead, he appeared. They told Thomas they had seen the Lord, but he wouldn’t take their word for it.  He said 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.  So now, a week later, Thomas had his Easter. The Bible says 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. 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.  Upon seeing Jesus, Thomas made the statement My Lord and my God.  

We have to believe.  We have the testimony here in the Word of God.  It’s all we need.  Jesus did all this for you and me so we wouldn’t have to bear our own sins, so we wouldn’t have to go to hell.  Thomas laid out some terms in order to believe that Jesus was alive.  Jesus says we must be not faithless, but believing.  We’re invited to believe through eyes of faith.  When we believe we can see Jesus.  Just have faith in the Lord.