Daily Worship

Doubt

Katy Emslie-Smith April 28, 2017 0 2

John 20:24-28

Jesus Appears to Thomas

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!”

He must have felt he had missed the party, Thomas.

When the news was fresh off the lips of the women

That Jesus was alive,

Within the day his friends had

Encountered the unimaginable truth.

What an agony to have to wait a week

Before his faltering doubts

Were met by Jesus

In the convincing feel of wounded tissue.

 

Lord, sometimes you ask us to hold our doubts 

For a time,

You cause us to wait,

In the uncomfortable trenches of disbelief,

While others seem certain.

We begin to set conditions on you,

Start bargaining in our yearning for faith.

 

Jesus, thank you that you graciously come

As the bearer of our doubts,

Your injuries caused by our broken faith,

You come in the surprise of flesh and blood,

 And in the offer of peace,

You kindle faith

By your wounds that heal.