John 20:24-31
Thomas gets a bad rap for being skeptical. "Doubting Thomas" we call him. But would the other disciples have believed in the resurrection if Jesus hadn't yet appeared to them? Jesus didn't reject Tom for questioning his return. instead, he deliberately appeared again to the disciples when Tom was with them, then singled him out and invited him to touch the wounds from the nails and spear.
When Tom saw him (& it doesn't say that he did touch the wounds), he exclaimed "My Lord and my God!" in answer to Jesus invitation. This wasn't a statement of astonishment, which would have been taking the Lord's name in vain. He was talking directly to Jesus, and rather than rebuking Tom, Jesus affirmed this statement of faith. If Jesus wasn't God, he would have corrected Tom and refused to be worshiped... but he didn't!
John goes on to write that the reason he wrote the gospel and recorded all the miraculous things that Jesus did was that the reader would likewise believe, and by believing have true life in Jesus. Jesus really did come to earth, live as a human, heal the sick, restore sight to the blind, cast out demons and raise the dead. He truly is my Lord and my God, the incarnate creator of the universe and my savior! Praise and thanks be to such a loving and gracious God!!!
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