We all know and no doubt can relate to the story of “doubting” Thomas. He was the disciple who wasn’t with the others when Jesus appeared to them in the locked room. When he heard the excited stories of the disciples who had witnessed the event he was less than impressed. He demanded to see actual real proof. He wanted to inspect the nail holes in Jesus’ hands and put his hands in the hole in Jesus’ side caused by the soldier’s spear.

Can you relate to his feelings? After all, Thomas was in the same situation as we are. We haven’t seen the risen Christ but we have access to the same eyewitness accounts. Do you believe them any more than Thomas?

Have you noted the proof Thomas demanded? It was to show that Jesus had risen again. The nail marks prove that this was the body that was hung on the cross - not some imposter or substitute. The spear hole in Jesus’ side was the result of the routine check by the Roman soldiers to ensure the victim was dead before he was removed from the cross. The clear liquid that gushed out proved blood was no longer flowing in the body. Therefore the person showing these marks couldn't have just swooned and recovered in the cool of the tomb. Finally his ability to touch the body proved that Jesus was not a ghost or the product of wishful thinking.

When he saw Jesus, Thomas blurted out immediately “My Lord and My God” - the first person to call Jesus God in John’s gospel. He did this before he properly inspected the body. Why? Because Jesus showed he knew what had been going through Thomas’ mind before he met him! He went straight up to Thomas inviting him to inspect the proof before Thomas asked for it.

Thomas realised Jesus had been with him all that time, unbeknownst to him, and was coming to him in love to address his needs. Thomas suddenly realised that his proof was indeed the marks of love. This is what Jesus had suffered for Thomas, and for us and he could only do that as God. His doubts evaporated. What he now had was the Peace of God; that inner warmth and serenity knowing that he was loved by God and that God has everything in his life under his control no matter how dire they might seem. Wasn’t that what Jesus said to the disciples each time he met them after the Resurrection? “Peace be with you”

This Easter season I pray that you too might experience this incredible peace of God, with you every moment of your life.

As Isaac Watts wrote in his famous hymn in response to this gift of new creation that Thomas experienced and that has been given to us.