Thursday, April 9, 2026
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:36-45
The Comeback From Doubt
The disciples knew Jesus well – probably better than anyone. They had spent several years with him, doing life by his side. But when the resurrected Jesus suddenly stood among them in the upper room, they were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.
The first thing Jesus said to them was Peace be with you because he knew they were afraid, worried, and doubting. This appearance would begin to lay aside any doubts they had and would reassure them that death had been conquered.
Again, the disciples knew Jesus well - better than anyone else aside from family. They had been given the timeline of events from Jesus himself and yet, they were doubting. They were afraid. They were hiding because they didn’t know what would come next. Jesus appearing to them confirmed the truth of the scriptures – the fulfillment of the prophecy that had been written about the Messiah that told of his death, burial, and resurrection. Everything he had told them had come true and now they would have absolutely no reason to doubt the gift of eternal life that was promised. The fulfillment of the scriptures before their very eyes also erased any doubt they might have about any part of the story as they set out to continue his work here on earth as he ascends to heaven.
Thomas was not there when Jesus appeared to the disciples the first time, but Jesus appeared to the disciples again and Thomas was present. He had just said he would never believe it unless he could touch the wounds on his nail scarred hands and put his finger in the hole where the sword had pierced his side. Jesus invited him to do just that and Thomas fell down in awe.
A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even 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 and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.” Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” John 20:26-29
Jesus told Thomas, Don’t be faithless, but believe. In other words, don’t doubt, just believe. Jesus had never given them a reason not to trust him in their time together, but he had given them a million reasons to trust him and this was the greatest one of all –prophecy straight from the Messiah’s mouth, fulfilled right before their eyes.
Jesus went on to say “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” We have not seen with our eyes, but we have see with our hearts and believe. We celebrate the resurrection every year as Christians know that the resurrection means we can overcome anything through Jesus because in his death, burial, and resurrection he overcame it all. The resurrection destroys doubt and proves everything we believe about him to be true. We can trust him, believe in him, and comeback from doubt, living in security and reassurance that everything we know about Jesus is true. Every promise he keeps. Every prophecy fulfilled throughout the ages.
