Jesus Appears to Thomas

Hope restored 

 

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), 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 Eight days 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, “You believe because you have seen me, blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

 

Take a moment to become aware of God's presence.

Read the passage slowly. Notice what word or phrase captures your attention.

 

Now allow yourself to enter the scene... Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 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.”

Allow the Holy Spirit to place you in St. Thomas's place. Hear the other disciples tell you, "We have seen the Lord. He's alive."

You want to believe them. More than anything, you want their words to be true. But hope has become too costly.

 

You watched Him die. Your heart cannot bear to be broken a second time. After Jesus' death, your world has been shattered.

Every hope, every dream suddenly seems gone. You cannot bring yourself to hope because your grief feels overwhelming. Perhaps you are protecting your heart. It is such a human response. Grief can make hope feel dangerous.

 

Allow the Holy Spirit to show you whether there are places in your own life where disappointment and other issues have made it difficult to hope again.

 

 

Eight days 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!” 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.” 

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him, “Blessed are you, because you have seen me; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

 

Eight days later you are in the room with the others.

It’s been a difficult week. Constantly questioning yourself. Is it true? But I saw him die. I saw him buried. He can’t be alive.

As you’ve pondered what you were told by the others, you realised when they spoke to you, they spoke with their joy and hope restored. 

 

Suddenly, Jesus stands among you. He says, “Peace be with you.” There is no judgement, only love in his eyes. He looks directly at you. His gaze pierces your heart—not with judgement, but with love. He sees your grief. He sees your confusion. He sees the places where hope has become difficult.

 

Then He turns towards you. “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

 

Allow Jesus to speak into the doubts, fears, disappointments, and questions that surfaced within you as you entered Thomas's experience

 

Jesus does not ask you to ignore your wounds. Instead, He invites you to bring them into contact with His own wounded and risen body. The very wounds that seemed to speak of defeat have become signs of His victory and His enduring love.

 

Remain with Jesus.

• Look into His eyes.
• Listen more than you speak.
• What is He saying to you today?
• How do you want to respond?
• Stay there for a while before moving on. If you feel led to, journal this experience.

Being merciful to ourselves

 

There is something interesting in this part of the parable.

The Father sees the son while he is still a long way off. He runs to him, embraces him and welcomes him home.

And then suddenly, they are back at the house and the celebration has begun.

Jesus doesn’t tell us what happened on the journey between the road and the house.

Perhaps there is something for us to contemplate in that silence.

 

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

 

In this reflection, the Father is God the Father, and the “child” is me.

I am coming to understand that God’s forgiveness comes first. But I need to learn to receive and participate in that forgiveness, rather than continuing to condemn myself.

If I can’t forgive myself, how will I be able to truly forgive others who have wronged me

 

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.  So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.  He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

 

Allow the holy spirit to take you here. While it is not stated why the younger son made this choice. We can ask the Holy Spirit  to enlighten us when we have told God I want to do this my way. 

 

I said to my father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate’.

 

Sit with this, 

allow the Spirit to highlight any motives hidden or otherwise, where I have said this to my heavenly Father.  

 

 

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.  “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

 

THE ROAD HOME 

As you journey the road home with God the Father by your side, allow yourself to have that conversation with him. 

There is no fear here only Gods holy presence. 

Allow his merciful love for you to talk to those places.

 

The Father has already welcomed the son. The forgiveness has already been given. The son has been received.

But perhaps the son still has to learn to believe that he really is forgiven.

 

Allow the Holy Spirit to take you into that journey.

Imagine yourself walking beside your Heavenly Father.

You have returned to Him. He has welcomed you. He has embraced you.

 

But what is happening inside you as you walk home with Him?

Are you still trying to explain yourself?

Are you still saying, “Father, I don’t deserve this”?

Are you still looking back at what you have done?

Are you waiting for the Father to change His mind?

Or can you begin to walk with Him, trusting that the forgiveness He has given you is real?

 

Perhaps this is part of the journey of learning to forgive ourselves.

God may have forgiven us, but sometimes we have not yet learned to live as forgiven people.

The Father does not appear to turn around on the road and say, “Now that I’ve forgiven you, let me remind you of everything you did.”

He walks with His child looking towards home.

Perhaps today Jesus is inviting me to do the same.

To stop walking or looking backwards into my past and begin walking forwards with Him.

Father, help me to believe what You have already told me.

Help me to receive Your mercy.

Help me to forgive myself, not because what I did did not matter, but because Your mercy is greater than my sin.

Teach me to come home and love and forgive myself as you do.

 

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

 

The Father says, “Quick! Bring the best robe…”

What is it like to have the Father place the robe around me?

Can I allow myself to receive it?

Do I still feel that I should be wearing the clothes of the person who left?

Can I accept the ring? The sandals?

Can I believe that the Father has restored me, rather than merely tolerated me?

 

The celebration — allowing ourselves to live as the beloved child who has been restored.

If you feel led to, journal this experience.

Bearing fruit — the lesson from the Fig tree  

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

12 The next day, as they were coming back from Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 He saw in the distance a fig tree covered with leaves, so he went to see if he could find any figs on it. But when he came to it, he found only leaves, because it was not the right time for figs. 14 Jesus said to the fig tree, “No one shall ever eat figs from you again!”

And his disciples heard him.

Jesus Goes to the Temple

15 When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus went to the Temple and began to drive out all those who were buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the stools of those who sold pigeons, 16 and he would not let anyone carry anything through the Temple courtyards. 17 He then taught the people: “It is written in the Scriptures that God said, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations.’ But you have turned it into a hideout for thieves!”

18 The chief priests and the teachers of the Law heard of this, so they began looking for some way to kill Jesus. They were afraid of him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.

19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples left the city.

The Lesson from the Fig Tree

20 Early next morning, as they walked along the road, they saw the fig tree. It was dead all the way down to its roots. 21 Peter remembered what had happened and said to Jesus, “Look, Teacher, the fig tree you cursed has died!”

22 Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 I assure you that whoever tells this hill to get up and throw itself in the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 For this reason I tell you: When you pray and ask for something, believe that you have received it, and you will be given whatever you ask for. 25 And when you stand and pray, forgive anything you may have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done.”

For this reflection I wish to explore the lack of fruit the fig tree has and potential implication in one’s own spiritual life.  

It can be easy to walk with Jesus and think we have it all together. 

12 The next day, as they were coming back from Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 He saw in the distance a fig tree covered with leaves, so he went to see if he could find any figs on it. But when he came to it, he found only leaves, because it was not the right time for figs. 14 Jesus said to the fig tree, “No one shall ever eat figs from you again!”

 

What does my spiritual life look like from a distance, and what does Jesus actually find when He comes close?

 

Jesus Goes to the Temple

15 When they arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus went to the Temple and began to drive out all those who were buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the stools of those who sold pigeons, 16 and he would not let anyone carry anything through the Temple courtyards. 17 He then taught the people: “It is written in the Scriptures that God said, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations.’ But you have turned it into a hideout for thieves!”

 

The lesson from the cleansing of the temple, we can become distracted with what is going on around and within us, and miss the relationship with Jesus as we journey on with everything going on around us. 

The Temple was still functioning. There was activity, commerce, religious practice and people coming and going. But something had gone wrong at its centre. It was no longer fulfilling its proper purpose as a house of prayer. It had become a place of commerce and trade. 

1. Am I allowing what is going on inside me to distract me from my prayer?
2. Am I allowing what is going on outside and around me to distract me from prayer?

 

Early next morning, as they walked along the road, they saw the fig tree. It was dead all the way down to its roots. Peter remembered what had happened and said to Jesus, “Look, Teacher, the fig tree you cursed has died!”

Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. I assure you that whoever tells this hill to get up and throw itself in the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. For this reason I tell you: When you pray and ask for something, believe that you have received it, and you will be given whatever you ask for. And when you stand and pray, forgive anything you may have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done.”

 

3. Do I believe in God’s promises for me?
4. Have I accepted God’s promises for me?
5. Am I willing to forgive others and myself as Jesus does and has done?

 

Sit with the Holy Spirit here. 

• What is he saying, addressing to me? 
• Are there areas of my life that are not bearing fruit? 
• Why are they not?
• Where am I becoming distracted?
• What is happening within the temple of my heart?
• Do I truly trust God’s promises for me?
• Is there someone I need to forgive?
• Is there something I need to allow God to forgive within me?

If you feel led journal this experience.

 

As I have gone on my journey with Jesus, one thing I have learned is treasures can be ungodly. For this reflection, I mean what takes God’s place in my heart. For example money, possessions and false beliefs I have about myself or those around me. E.g I am unworthy of God’s love. 

These can become idols in our hearts in place of God’s loving truth and presence.   

 

God and Possessions

Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Christian life isn’t merely about getting rid of our ungodly treasures; it’s about discovering the true treasure. God’s love, mercy, truth, and presence become the treasure against which everything else is measured.

As we hear this scripture passage read out, allow the Holy Spirit to show us the treasures of our heart. 

Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

• What do I possess?
• What has possession of my heart?
• Are there any false beliefs being highlighted?
• Do I believe that God loves me?
• What treasures do I actually possess?
• What is God showing me?

Spend time here with Jesus. Allow yourself to hear what he wants to tell you. 

If you feel led, journal this experience.

As I have walked my transgendered journey with Jesus, one thing I have learned is, There are two sorts of people before God: those who tell God how to run the universe, and those who ask Him, ‘What do You want me to do?’

Another question that comes up is, ‘What did I do wrong to deserve this?’

The question we need to be able to ask of God is, What do you want me to do with this? And of ourselves what do I want to do with this?

I don’t necessarily get to choose what happens to me, but I do have a choice about what I do with what happens to me.

The other question I have is what is stopping some from accepting this teaching including the piece on people not being able to marry.

Jesus Teaches about Divorce

19 When Jesus finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the territory of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 

Some Pharisees came to him and tried to trap him by asking, “Does our Law allow a man to divorce his wife for whatever reason he wishes?”

4 Jesus answered, “Haven't you read the scripture that says that in the beginning the Creator made people male and female? 5 And God said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one.’ 6 So they are no longer two, but one. No human being must separate, then, what God has joined together.”

7 The Pharisees asked him, “Why, then, did Moses give the law for a man to hand his wife a divorce notice and send her away?”

8 Jesus answered, “Moses gave you permission to divorce your wives because you are so hard to teach. But it was not like that at the time of creation. 9 I tell you, then, that any man who divorces his wife for any cause other than her unfaithfulness, commits adultery if he marries some other woman.”

10 His disciples said to him, “If this is how it is between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 Jesus answered, “This teaching does not apply to everyone, but only to those to whom God has given it. 12 For there are different reasons why men cannot marry: some, because they were born that way; others, because men made them that way; and others do not marry for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Let him who can accept this teaching do so.”

 

1 Samuel 16:7

7 But the Lord said to him, “Pay no attention to how tall and handsome he is. I have rejected him, because I do not judge as people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.”

ISA 55:8-9

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Jesus’ answer here is directed at why divorce was allowed. He then addressess about eunuchs and those who cannot marry.

Jesus answered, “This teaching does not apply to everyone, but only to those to whom God has given it.  For there are different reasons why men cannot marry: some, because they were born that way; others, because men made them that way; and others do not marry for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven. Let him who can accept this teaching do so.

Can I trust God when I don’t understand what He has permitted in my life - or in another person’s life?

Lord, I don’t understand this. I may not even like it. But what do You want me to do with it?

Do I have a problem accepting or understanding this teaching?

 

1Samuel 16:7

 But the Lord said to him, “Pay no attention to how tall and handsome he is. I have rejected him, because I do not judge as people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.”

Do I realise when God sees and looks at me, he sees and knows all of me, nothing is hidden from him?

Do I believe this?

How does this make me feel?

Sit with Jesus here. Tell him what you’re feeling. Allow him to respond. Allow yourself to hear and receive his response.

Notice how he speaks to you.

 

ISA 55:8-9

8

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

 9 

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 

What do I feel about what God has shown and told me?

Do I believe God loves me and others as we are now?

Do I believe God has a plan for my life as I am now?

Do I believe God has a plan for ‘that person’ as they are now?

Allow Jesus to minister to me and my wounds here.

If you feel led, journal this experience.