They told him that Jesus had appeared to them, and that they hoped that He would appear again the following Sunday night. To Thomas the news that Jesus had been seen alive was preposterous. “Don’t be ridiculous. Go away!” “But it is true. Won’t you come, meet with us next Sunday Night? Jesus may appear again!” “No! How can you believe such a thing? Have you all gone out of your minds?” “Didn’t you see Him hanging there? His body sagging under its weight, the blood, His horrible scream about being forsaken by the Father?” “Enough! I am through with Messiah chasing.”

          “What would it take for you to believe Thomas?”

          “You ask that after our dreams were dashed? After we saw what they did to the only truly good man we ever knew? “Well, I’ll tell you what it will take for me to believe that a dead man has come back to life. “Unless I can see the holes that the nails made in His hands and put my finger in the print of the nails, and put my hand into the gash in His side I can’t believe.”

          Somehow Thomas was persuaded to meet with the Disciples the following Sunday Night. And thus we get to witness a most remarkable exchange. As the Disciples met behind closed doors for fear of the authorities, Jesus “appeared” in their midst. He showed them His hands. Thomas begins to tremble.

          “I heard what you said, Thomas.” Embarrassed and ashamed, Thomas doesn’t know how to handle this. “Come over here, Thomas.” “That’s okay, Lord. I’m sorry for popping off. You know my mouth. I know I’ve got it coming.” “I am not rebuking you, Thomas. I want to help you believe. And I am willing to do whatever it takes to help you do so. So reach your finger here and stick it into the hole in my hand. Then stick your hand into the hole in my side.” (Tears are now streaming down Thomas' face, and he is weeping softly.)

          “I can’t do it, Lord. I just can’t do it. Please don’t make me.” “It’s okay, Thomas. Go ahead. Do it, and no longer doubt, but believe.”

          So Thomas place his finger into the hole in Jesus’ hand and thrust his hand into the gash in Jesus’ side. Then, falling down, hugging Jesus’ legs, choking back heavy sobs, Thomas cried, “My Lord, and my God” (John 20:28).

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