Doubting Thomas or certain Jesus?
by Shane Altmann
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On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ (John 20:19)
Read John 20:19–31
There is so much cool stuff in this Bible passage, the well-known ‘doubting Thomas’ story. So much to wonder about.
- Jesus appears in a locked room. Can our post-resurrection body move differently through space and time like Jesus’?
- Jesus showed the marks of his death on his hands and his side. Will our post-resurrection body still have its scars and scratches like Jesus?
- Jesus performed many other miracles that were not even recorded. What were those extra miracles and signs?
I’m looking forward to finding out one day. But seriously, kind of, who cares? It is what this passage gives me certainty about that I love. Let’s focus on Jesus throughout the passage, on Jesus’ actions.
- Jesus came and stood among them.
- Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you’, twice.
- Jesus said, ‘I am sending you …’
- Jesus breathed on them and filled them with the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus gave them the authority to forgive sins.
- Jesus knew Thomas’ doubts.
- Jesus invited Thomas to have his doubts confirmed.
Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. The disciples are largely passive in this story. Locked away, hanging out together. They aren’t looking for Jesus, they aren’t inquiring about what to do next, and they haven’t asked for or invited the Holy Spirit. Again, the list goes on. The disciples just exist. And Jesus does the work.
It’s always God’s work.
Our amazing God of Love is constantly engaged in his gracious movement towards us, towards humanity, towards the world. Even then, even now. Like the disciples, we are not responsible for the fact that the Holy Spirit is active in our lives – Jesus is.
Like the disciples, we cannot transport ourselves to where Jesus is, but he comes to us. Even in our locked rooms, he breaks through our feeble barriers to be with us, to bring us peace, to bless us with the work that lies before us. And in response, Thomas gives us the words, we cry, ‘My Lord and my God!’
Hallelujah.
Thank you, Jesus, for breaking into our lives unexpectedly and miraculously. Thank you for your gracious and redeeming work that makes us right with you. Thank you for your faithfulness towards us. Fill us again with your Holy Spirit and bless us as we gratefully attend to the important stuff you have placed before us this day. Amen.
Shane Altmann is the principal of Faith Lutheran College Redlands in Queensland and has served in education for more than 35 years. Married to Monica and father of two children, Harry and Zoe, Shane has learnt that he is largely helpless without the love and support of the people with whom he lives and works. A pilgrim of multiple Caminos de Santiago, a Penrith Panthers tragic and a restorer of old stuff, Shane loves a project and, when he is able, fills his days tinkering with something.
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