Oh Thomas

"Now Thomas , one of the 12, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 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 in his side, I will not believe it!'

A week later the 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!' 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!'

Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!'

Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" John 20:24-29 niv

When I read this at the end of the Gospel of John this morning, my heart sank just a bit for Thomas. I didn't feel complete pity, because he was blessed with fellowship with the risen Lord! It was an act of mercy and grace to appear to Thomas after his declaration of doubt. But it wasn't without consequence. And that is where my heart hurts for Thomas.

He missed the blessing.

He didn't miss out completely, but He missed the blessing that comes with the fullness of faith! Jesus has mercy, shows Himself to Thomas, but then he gives a blessing, and Thomas is excluded from that blessing because he refused to believe without seeing.

May I be of the remnant of the faithful, of the ones that Jesus blessed, who has not seen and yet has believed. May I receive the FULLNESS of the blessing. For the glory of the Lord!