After the Resurrection

Jock Stein April 12, 2026 1 0

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John 20: 19-31 (NIV-UK)

19 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!’ 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

21 Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’

But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ 27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’

28 Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’

29 Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe[b]that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

This week we are looking at people and situations which involve a ‘shrug’ – a shoulder movement which is ambiguous: it can mean I don’t care, but it can also mean I don’t know, or I’m not sure. Jesus shouldered the cross for us, leaving us to make some kind of response, which we are thinking about this month.

I picture Thomas lifting his shoulders in frustration. So far he has missed the party, and he can’t quite believe there is a party. He is only half way through a shrug, because he cares, but not enough to commit without physical evidence. Jesus then makes sure he gets it, at close quarters, but John uses this to teach us that we’re not to expect physical evidence.

I can identify with Thomas. My early life was a massive shrug, but then I was given evidence in my own psyche that Jesus was alive – evidence (like Thomas) that I didn’t expect. But I have to follow the gospel writer, and encourage people to believe the good news without proof, albeit we are all promised ‘life’ in the name of Christ. Not ‘my way’ for others, but ‘God’s way’ for them.

PRAY:

Lord Jesus, how wonderful that Thomas’ story is included in the Gospels. And how wonderful that my story is known and included somewhere in the great annals of your kingdom. Help us to listen to other people’s stories, and to affirm them, for your love’s sake, Amen.