The story of 'Doubting Thomas' is familiar and sometimes that makes me think I already get it. But not today. Not only did Thomas want 'real' proof of the Jesus' resurrection and possibility of life but often so do I. Knowing a living Jesus, the Christ of all history, could bring assurance and courage, but only if it is truly my and our experience. So I look; I seek.
I am on a long awaited trip--planned just under a year ago. We have look forward to being away, being a totally new environment. And now we are. But will it be what I expect? Will my expectations block what really is? Will I see or will I force what is into what has always been?
Will we force the ressurrected Jesus to fit what we always have thought? Or will we with Thomas ask to see the unbeleivable? Part of the passage in John says we can forgive sins or retain sins. Maybe the conversation in worship on this passage raises questions for you. Maybe the Acts passage that describing the early church's holding of all things in common pushes your long held ideas of how we live as a society. Maybe where you meet Jesus today is a big surprise.
Just maybe the real question for this week is not doubt but willingness to be the people the living Christ calls us to be. Jesus has come and comes and says "Peace be with you all."
I am grateful to the church throughout history for helping me to make the Christ of all history truly my experience. I love sharing that experience with friends and loved ones. I hope I can share it with strangers as well in a way that gives hope, assurance and courage!
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