Can you imagine hearing some of your closest friends reminisce about a story you missed out on?
And not just any story.
The story of the resurrection.
Eight days go by.
Eight days of “the doors were locked”
Eight days of “we were so scared”
Of “we couldn’t believe our eyes”
“And he breathed on us”
“and empowered us”
“and sent us”
Eight long days

Where’s my experience with you, Jesus?
Why haven’t you appeared to me?
They say they saw, show me

And eight days later, you appear
Very similar to the other time
the time with all my friends
Except this time with the words
“Touch me. Examine me.”
“See, It’s me, Jesus. I’m real. I’m here.”
with the loving admonition
“Don’t be unbelieving. Believe!”

Eight long days to wonder…
…Where was I?
…What was I even doing then?
…Why not wait until I was there?
…Why not appear to me then?
…This can’t be real.
…They must be making this up!
And then…

Eight days later
You show up
And appear again
to me
calling my name
I’m missing out no more
Jesus has appeared to me

John 20:24-31

Not a leap of faith
But a leap to faith
Evidence all around
If we choose to see
You never call us
without revealing yourselves in some way
Open my eyes to see
my heart to feel
my mind to know
My Lord and My God!

John 20:24-31

Jesus Appears to Thomas

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 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 where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his 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!” 27 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.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe[b] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.