Mary Magdalene declared, “I have seen the Lord” (v. 18).  Ten of the disciples declared, “We have seen the Lord.” Thomas declared, “I will never believe unless I see.”  Jesus responded, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This gentle rebuke of Thomas is an encouragement to us. We are blessed if we believe without seeing. We have the word of God and the eye-witness accounts. In this sense, believing is a form of seeing. 

A week after Easter, Jesus came again to Thomas and the other disciples.  After seeing the nail marks in Jesus’ hands, Thomas declared, “My Lord and my God.”  Thus, John bookends his Gospel with the reality that Jesus is God (see John 1:1). The resurrection became the source of Thomas’ faith and eventual mission and martyrdom.

The resurrection of Jesus gives the reason behind all that we do.

We see in today’s text that the resurrection gives us Peace, Purpose, Power, and Proof.

PEACE – Twice Jesus greeted them with his peace. The resurrection means that life is headed somewhere and much more is to come. Believers do not live just for this life. 

PURPOSE – Jesus sends his followers as the Father sent him; out of love for the world (John 3:16). Our mission is to love God and others everywhere.

POWER – God’s Spirit is working through believers, especially as we declare the message of God’s forgiveness.

PROOF – Thomas saw bodily proof of Christ’s resurrection, as did hundreds of others. We have ample reasons to believe in Christ.  *

The resurrection is the reason behind all four of these. They replace fear, emptiness, weakness, and blind faith.      

Taking It Home: Examine yourself in these four areas and ask God how to apply the resurrection in your life today.

* Recommended resources for reasons to believe:

More than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell

The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis