“Why doesn’t God just show us proof?” That question is as old as faith, and it is a necessary place to visit on the believer’s path to glory.

In our passage today, we note that the disciples are still behind closed doors, even though eight days earlier, Jesus manifested Himself to all but Thomas. They knew Jesus had risen, but had no idea where to go or what to do. They were also still fearful of the Jewish leaders. We should take note of this. Even IF God made Himself fully evident to us, we would still need faith to trust that He will help guide us in difficult times.

Thomas was left out of the gathering when Jesus first appeared. Sometimes we feel that way about our lives. We think that we took the wrong path or made a bad decision or that God is mad at us. Thomas says what we, at least in essence, often say: “Until I put my finger in the place of the nails, I will not believe.” Jesus hears his cry and appears to him. The Bible doesn’t record whether or not Thomas actually does touch the nail holes, but I like to think not. I think just seeing Jesus was enough to cast aside his doubt and frustration.

Christ smiled that His friends believed because they saw Him in person. However, He BLESSED all of us who believe without seeing Him in person. The passage goes on to share that the things the apostles saw while they were with Jesus, and that were recorded, were recorded so that we might also believe. The disciples knew this was an amazing account that was almost too incredible to be true. Still, they went to their deaths proclaiming it, so that we, too, might receive the blessing of faith.