My Lord and my God
A week later the disciples were together again indoors, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then stretch out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’
Read John 20:19-31
To believe in the risen Lord is central to the Christian faith. Thomas hadn’t reached that point of faith until this moment. But now, there in front of him stood Jesus. In an instant there was no longer any doubt in his mind. This was truly Jesus. He was alive again after his terrible crucifixion. Thomas didn’t need to apply the finger test. He saw, not only with his eyes, but also with the eyes of faith.
He saw Jesus now as both Lord and God. in the ancient world the title ‘Lord’ had come to mean one’s absolute master, the one to whom you willingly gave control of your life.
Thomas turned what he saw into a personal confession of faith: ‘My Lord and my God!’ He was able to make the great fact of the resurrection his very own. It wasn’t just something that happened; it happened for him.
And that’s the whole point of the gospel. Jesus is our personal Saviour, our personal God. What he did he did for each one of us. You are very special, because Jesus died and rose again for you.
Thank you, Jesus, for your wonderful resurrection and your living presence among us. Help me to see this and to live in a way that shows that you are truly my Lord and my God. Amen.
by Pastor Kevin Schmidt, in ‘Assurance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2004)
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