“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:30-31)
The Apostle Thomas was not present the night of the resurrection to witness the appearance of Jesus to his disciples. When his fellow disciples told him they had seen Jesus, his reaction was rather extreme. He rejected their testimony even after hearing their vivid description of Jesus and the wounds in his hands and side. He was very passionate in his unbelief. He would never believe by merely seeing Jesus. He had to place his fingers in the wounds the nails left in Jesus hands. He had to thrust his hand into the gaping wound the spear left in Jesus’ side. He had to touch to be sure because he was afraid to hope that this great news was true.
Despite his great skepticism, Thomas was rewarded with an astonishing blessing: not only did He see the risen Lord, but he was blessed to proclaim an earth-shaking revelation! We are not told that he actually touched Jesus; He did not have to for he saw Jesus alive yet with the mortal wounds on his body. Thomas was so overcome with passion, joy and faith as he witnessed this great reality that he proclaimed “My Lord and My God!” Not just Lord in the sense of Master or teacher, but Lord in the ultimate sense: “Jesus you are God. Only God can do this great miracle.” This is the supreme statement of who Jesus is, the supreme testimony of faith.
Years later as John wrote this he was overcome with emotion as he recalled the vivid memory of that night and the words of faith that no one has ever said in such a way! “My Lord and My God!” John tells us that all the signs and miracles he has recorded in his gospel account culminated in this the greatest sign, the glorified body of the risen Christ, and in this greatest affirmation of faith. John was so overcome with such joy that he offered an invitation to his readers, including us today. “Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” That means John’s readers. That means you and me. We have not seen but are blessed because we have believed.
But maybe you don’t believe it? Maybe some of you have never said to Jesus “My Lord and My God” and meant it. Now is the time. We have the sure testimony of men and women who saw the risen Lord Jesus. They had no reason to lie. Their testimony is given to us all. Now, you have to choose to believe or reject it. I pray that you will believe.