Read John 20:19-29 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
1. What emotions do you see in these verses, particularly in the disciples?
2. Reread all of the words that Jesus spoke in this passage. What stands out to you?
3. Who does He say is blessed (verse 29)?
Reflect
Jesus had just resurrected from the grave, but the disciples didn’t know it yet. They were gripped with fear, huddled inside with doors locked. Jesus appeared and, knowing they were struggling to believe, showed them His wounds. Thomas wasn’t there, so Jesus replayed the scenario, inviting Thomas to see and feel for himself. Jesus went on to say, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”
That’s you and me. In a world full of fakes and frauds, believing and following Jesus isn’t always easy. We don’t have the privilege of seeing and feeling Jesus’ wounds for ourselves like Thomas did. But following Jesus is also uncomplicated. He invites us to simply believe, and His Spirit helps us do so.
This is not only an invitation to believe, but an invitation to relationship. Jesus invites us to believe what He said about Himself, what He says about us, and what He promised to do to reconcile the world in which we live. We’re invited to have an encounter with the real Jesus, right where we are and just as we are today.
Respond
Pray through the following questions, and ask God to show you a next step He’s asking you to take in response. If you have a notebook or journal, write down what comes to mind and what your response will be.
• What doubts, questions, or hurts are currently keeping you from full belief in Jesus? Does today’s reading help address those things, or do you need to reach out to someone to process further? (Our team is always available at tpcc.org/care.)
• If you’ve been following Jesus for a while, is there something else you’re putting your belief in as equal to Him or higher than Him? What areas of your life have slowly slipped into the place of Jesus?
• What do you need to let go of to fully accept Jesus’ invitation to believe?