The tomb was empty. It was another mysterious blow after the traumatic events that had transpired in the days beforehand. Mary wept, and the disciples hid. Yet, Jesus began showing up and revealing Himself.
Enthusiastic news spread and eventually reached Thomas. You might have heard of him as Doubting Thomas, but this nickname may not fully convey how he felt. Maybe He was deeply disillusioned and in pain during this time, and his broken heart and weary eyes were suddenly bombarded by his friends’ ecstatic testimonies—they kept declaring how they had seen the Lord.
But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”
—John 20:24–25
Was that a tingle of hope that he felt just then? No. Thomas refused to believe. His words were, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe” (v.25).
The imagery in Thomas’s emphatic words reveal how much Jesus’s crucifixion affected him. When Jesus appeared, He met Thomas right where he was in need. It’s striking the way Jesus approached him. He word-for-word addressed Thomas’s remarks by saying, “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” (v.27).
This meeting occurred a week after Thomas’s remarks. Still, it was as if Jesus had been right there to hear the words Himself. Thomas wasn’t just seeing a man appear before him; he was encountering God—the God that knew his doubts, heard his words, and still showed up to help him in his unbelief. How could Thomas respond other than by saying, “My Lord and my God!” (v.28)?
The faithlessness that Jesus was challenging in Thomas was not his inability to believe, but rather his unwillingness. You see, there was proof—the empty tomb and trusted eyewitness accounts. Further, Thomas already knew that Jesus could raise people from the dead. Believing in Jesus during our darkest hours acknowledges our disappointments while also gazing at the evidence of His goodness in our lives. It’s choosing to say that although believing may be difficult because of the storm, you are still willing. Today, may we be encouraged by the words of Peter in 1 Peter 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
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56 thoughts on "The Disciples See the Resurrected Christ"
Lord you meet us where we need you. Everyone responds to situations differently but you are there with us through it all. You turn up when we least expect it and we get to see you and experience you personally.
Unwillingness to believe. Powerful. Lord show me where I am unwilling.
I know I’m late in reading this, but after this devotional I couldn’t help but think about this song:
https://youtu.be/cskhNiE_NPQ
Believing can be so hard when we are in the thick of it, but God will always see us through. We just have to be willing to believe
I love that Jesus not only appeared but that he was in a human body, because otherwise Thomas would not been able to touch Him. Thank you Lord for not forsaking us even when our faith is weak
Perspective- wow!
“Thomas was not just seeing a man, he was encountering God — the God that knew his doubts, heard his words, and still showed up to help him and his unbelief. How could Thomas respond other than saying, ‘my Lord, and my God!”  I’ve always liked to think about God as being the God who see. He not only sees, but hears, and knows us better than we know ourselves. May I always respond to him as Thomas did by saying, my Lord and my God
Wow.
Please help me be willing to believe Lord. Sometimes it is hard to see you while in difficult circumstances, but I know You are here with me.
I never looked at Thomas this way before. Oh my gosh! He heard the exact words he spoke and was looking at the Lord. His response was epic…I am so glad I read this devotion and looked again a different way at Thomas. How many times have I acted the same and was speechless at how Christ appeared or showed himself to me. Making me smile and saying Lord thank you.
Amen❤️
Believing is difficult in the storm but I am willing Lord. I pray you are with me and I acknowledge your presence.
♥️
Wow what a great thing! Believing in Jesus during our darkest times can be trying but the goodness he offers us is so much more. I’ve talked about this several times but almost a hear ago my dad attempted to commit suicide leaving with him facial injuries he will always have to deal with. During that time as devastating at it was God played such a hand in the entire outcome of the accident. I remember telling people I truly don’t know how people can get through this kind of thing without faith. I’ve been angry with God several times but when you’re literally doing all that you can to push forward everyday all you can do is lean on Jesus. @RHONDA J. Love your comment about our trials being there to potentially change somebody else’s life. I can’t help but feel like my family is meant to talk about our story with suicide to help somebody else out who might be struggling but too afraid to talk about it. @TANYA EVANS praying for you during your singleness. As somebody who’s also single and prays that person will come along I pray for you as well. I might not be an only child but I do live alone with family about two hours away so I understand the loneliness you feel.
I have the study book and paused part of the way through the readings to answer the question “what doubts or misunderstandings keep me from embracing by the resurrected Christ” and after hitting down two things I finished the readings and exactly the two things I wrote down were then answered by scripture! God is always with us and pursues us! Thank you Lord
I absolutely loved this in the devotional: “Believing in Jesus during our darkest hours acknowledges our disappointments while also gazing at the evidence of His goodness in our lives. It’s choosing to say that although believing may be difficult because of the storm, you are still willing.”
Thank you Faith for an insightful devo. I appreciate that Faith pointed out “Doubting Thomas” might as well be called traumatized Thomas/grieving Thomas and so on. There are so many areas that we could believe, and others in which we are faithless and hindered by pain. Lord, until I put my hand into your scar, only then I believe, only when I see my bank account going up, the medical report clear, then I will believe you are the Provider and Healer… the list can go on. Lord, help our unbelief in areas where our faith is weak, amidst the trials that strengthens our faith, to be pure and precious for You. It’s not easy when grief, confusion and anger are tossed in… but that’s when grace comes in …for such times of needs. Praise God for the grace /glory that was saved to be revealed unto us now, that even angels desired to find out. Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed. Blessed are those who walk by faith and not by sight. Blessed are those who are willing to take risk to close their physical eyes, but to have the eyes of their understanding open by the power of Him who can make all things work together for our good, for His glory. For we are the glory of Him. @Searching: ❤. Be blessed dear sisters. May God’s revelation and grace be with you all and your families.
Acknowledging the pain does not mean diminished faith. Believing and recognizing Him amongst the ruble is where some of the beauty is found ♥️
The resurrection of Jesus changes everything for us. Without the resurrection we wouldn’t have this new life in Christ. I pray that I would walk completely in this new life; believing that Jesus is walking through this life with me, even when I can’t see him.
Jesus demonstrated His great love and mercy for Thomas by coming to him even amongst his doubt and revealing himself to him! Wow! This is the same kind of love that He has for us. He doesn’t turn away from us in our doubts and lack of faith. Instead he pursues us in His great love and mercy.
Good Morning Shes & Thanks everyone who, prompted by “Doubting Thomas” in today’s devotional reading, drew our attention to parallels in Mark 9: 23-25: the father of the boy with evil sprits who cries out to Jesus “ I believe. Help my unbelief”.
A story reminding me of Apostle Paul, who says in 1 Timothy 1: 15-16: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I’m the worst.”
And isn’t that why Jesus came? To give a message in “beauty, goodness & truth. To drive out sin & death. To show patience & mercy to all who believe in Him.
My thoughts, in this post-resurrection, find echos. I cry out & confess to the risen Lord. Help me claim & reclaim “muscle memory” surrounding: Your faithful Love. Your sacrificial death. Your promise to never leave us. Everything You give so freely.Something the world can’t take away.
God have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
The Holy Spirit have mercy.
Amen & Amen
(Continue to previous post) scales off my eyes. Open my heart, give me clarity of speech. Help me to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Holy Spirit, guide me to day to spread the gospel. In Jesus name, Amen
Jesus is always with us. He will never leave us. He knows our hearts and hear us.
Father in Heaven, search me for unbelief. Give me ears to hear Your Word. Scales off my eyes and open my heart to hear Your words. Give me clarity of speech to speak the gospel to other. Help me to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Continue to wrap your arms around me
Jesus is always with us. He will never leave us. He knows our hearts and hear us.
Father in Heaven, search me for unbelief. Give me ears to hear Your Word.
Is anyone else having trouble playing the podcast from this week or is it just me?
Jesus is always with us. He will never leave us. He knows our hearts and hear us. Lord search me for unbelief. Give me ears to hear Your Word.
Wow. Truly powerful the way Jesus shows himself to Thomas in his disbelief. It’s often hard to believe when life gets hard, but trusting and giving your problems to Him is so relieving. ❤️
The way Jesus responded to Thomas, while in his emotional response in grieving, was absolutely beautiful. ♥️ The love and compassion Jesus shows is something to strive for especially in the world we live today.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy” 1 Peter 1:8
The way Jesus responded to Thomas, while in his emotional response in grieving, was absolutely beautiful. ♥️ The love and compassion Jesus shows is something to strive for.
I believe!
I believe!♥️ May my faith grow deeper. Lifting you all up today.
I’ve had this hanging in my laundry room for about 25 years now.
When we face struggles, we often wonder, Why? Years from now though, we may realize that it was those struggles that taught us something that we could have otherwise not learned-that there was a purpose in our pain.
2 Corinthians 1:5 We share in the many sufferings of Christ. In the same way, much comfort comes to us through Christ.
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. – Luke 24:45 God is doing this everyday we are in His word! Something different stands out each time I read a passage. So grateful for SRT and all the hard work you gals put in to making these studies so great!!! Lord I pray you continue to open our minds to understanding Your word! Amen!
Good Morning Dear She’s!
This part of the scripture stood out to me today in Peter-
6 You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
“If Necessary,” are the key words there with “for a SHORT TIME” in our “suffering and grief”. We will suffer trials and grief…Here. For a short time- in light of all eternity. I always think back to giving birth. That painful, not so fun time of pushing a baby out your body!! And how you think you will NEVER forget that pain, yet the joys of the baby is so amazing it wipes away the fear and pain that was necessary. Look at the growth that happens in your past in the various trials. What if through our trials lives are changed? That we have no idea in the present time. What if while I’m in pain God, is necessarily doing miraculous things? Well, the text tells us right there that it will happen. What is the purpose?! We don’t know, but we will!! Hallelujah!! I love it!! My pain, my purpose. My mess, your message. My test, my testimony to your Gory!! Lord, help me to remember this today and every day. To you be the Glory of all things. Our time here is short, but we will be in eternity with you one day, oh Glorious day! Help my unbelief. You gave it all, for our salvation.
Today marks a year since the death of my grandmother. Praising God that we have hope that this world is not our home and we will have an eternity praising of Lord together for his power over death!
Such a powerful word this morning! So grateful for SRT and for remembering to not be faithless but believe! ❤️
Tanya Evans I am praying for you this morning. Until you find your people to be in your physical community, we are here to celebrate your wins and share your sadness’s.
KELLY (NEO), I wrote down that very quote in my study guide in my reflection: “I believe! Help my unbelief.” If nothing else, I long to at least be willing to have deeper faith, and live with my hand open to all that God longs to heap on me, abundantly!
I found it interesting to read of the confusion, heartache, lost expectations, and the reeling emotions right after Christ’s death and resurrection. Then, reading in 1 Peter, after they were given the Holy Spirit, after they were given power and authority to share the Good News in the years that followed, there is such conviction, passion, and power in relating to their readers/audience the fullness of what they now know to be true!
God, I believe. Forgive my unbelief. Thank you for always coming to where I am and not wasting time waiting for me to come to you when I’m ready. I’m always stumbling, always looking down or distracted with another direction…but you come along side me in my Emmaus walk and you explain to me a deeper understanding in my confusion, grief, and misplaced expectations. Thank you for your mercy and grace that literally fill my days! I’m in awe!
Such good reading this week (and every week!). ‘Doubting Thomas’ has always been kinda my attitude about the latest/greatest thing – I nearly always met it with a raised eyebrow and “we’ll see”… Would you all join in praying for my daughter’s father-in-law? He successfully battled lung cancer, which has now returned along with a diagnosis of bone cancer. (For some reason, tho a Christian man, he doesn’t want folks to know, and so adding him to the church prayer chain is a no-no).
Thank you Jesus, our Lord, for seeing us and meeting us right where we are. Despite our stubborn unbelief.
This was great and so was the article. I believe ❤️
Hallelujah! Even though we cannot see, we are blessed to believe! We have faith that He is exists and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. ❤️
Rachel S. I love what you said.
I also began to think of an article I read recently on how nature points to little resurrections that help us believe in Christ’s. The article is called “Reading Resurrection in the Book of Nature” – look it up, it is so good!!
I don’t often comment but I read and pray for y’all almost everyday. Would you please pray for me today – I’ve coming down with a cold that I think my whole family has had so finally it’s my turn. No sick days for SAHMs!
❤️
Good morning, Shes. Continuing to lift you up in prayer. @Tanya Evans- I agree with @Searching and @Kelly (Neo). God designed us for community. It hurts my heart to see you feeling lonely when God gave us His body (the church/other believers) to support each other. We are here for you, as well as your local community of believers. We aren’t meant to do life alone, and leaning on one human (a spouse, a boyfriend, even a best friend) for all that support would hurt/break a relationship. I have experienced that brokenness many times.
May God open your eyes to see your support system and grow it in the places you feel lacking. I am single and 30, yet I rely on Jesus and my community when I feel those lonely says of waiting. They come and go. Jesus will forever be at your side. May you be strengthened and see His great love filling EVERY need. :)
Father reward my faith, forgive my doubt. In Jesus name, Amen
Amen
Wow- such thoughtful reflections on this eye/heart opening passage. Thank you, wise women, for sharing ❤️
Jill R- Isn’t it amazing that He created us with such intellect and curiosity that we can try to logic and reason out what we believe- but has also created us with a heart capable of faithfulness that can experience something so much deeper- His presence. And while we are steeped in a world of ‘see it to believe it’, ‘evidence is proof’,’trust the science’, We get to choose Him daily and walk the road that leads us closer to the real Truth.
I’m so grateful for you She’s who mention each prayer request by name. I am lifting each one up that the Lord would be near to everyone in their need, and fill you with His peace <3
I love how we can find something new in passages we have read or heard many times. What jumped out at me today was the response when Jesus echoed Thomas’ previous words that he would have to not only see but also touch Christ’s wounds – Thomas answered him, my Lord and my God. It doesn’t mention that he physically examined Jesus, just that he answered and believed, “seeing is believing”. In today’s world where so much of what we see is digitally created and what we read may be a product of AI, seeing is believing may no longer hold true. What does hold true, now and forever, is that God’s word never changes, we are saved through Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, and that as believers, the Holy Spirit guides us daily.
LYNNE FROM AL – you are on my mind this morning, praying for you and Jack ❤️
TANYA EVANS – I wholeheartedly second KELLY (NEO)’s words. We join with you as sisters and will walk with you through prayer, sadness and rejoicing and pray for the Lord’s guidance and wisdom in connecting with others. In the meantime, we are here for you ❤️
MERCY ❤️
BONNIE P MILLS – praying for your son and others mentioned
TAMI C – praying for Michelle and her family/friends who are walking beside her
DOROTHY – praying for Carol, and for the Lord’s wisdom and guidance for you, your brothers and her medical team
MOLLY R – your dad’s healing
SISSY – dear sister, I am so sad for you and what you are dealing with. I am praying for you and for your husband, for wisdom, guidance and healing of your hurting heart. The Lord is with you and will walk you through and out of this valley. ❤️
JENNY SOMERS – praying for Jane
Jesus showed himself to Thomas in a way that revealed Jesus was with him even when he couldn’t see him physically. What a wonder this did for my heart this morning to know Jesus knows my every word.❤️
I was just thinking about my own doubt. Reading about a man raising from the dead, a giant ghost like creator it’s so hard to imagine and believe that this really did happen and there is a God. But my heart knows it to be true when my brain is wrestling with conceiving this notion. My heart says “ look how much you’ve changed because you started believing, look at the souls of people, look at this Earth and all it’s beauty” when I consider all the evidence how can I not have faith. Though my brain tries to doubt and find reason as I’m reading about all these crazy things happening, my heart knows it has to be true. There is something greater than me and it brings eternal joy knowing that this is truth ;there is a Heavenly Father, and his son did die for me so I could be forgiven. How amazing!
Thank you, Jesus, for meeting each of us right where we are ❤️
I believe! ❤️
I love that Jesus doesn’t condemn Thomas for his doubt or even just stay away from him. He comes to him and offers Himself to him.
“The faithlessness that Jesus was challenging in Thomas was not his inability to believe, but rather his unwillingness.”
Wow. Brings to mind the father who cried out to Jesus, “I believe. Help my unbelief!” He was willing to believe.
Definitely something to mull over today, Am I unwilling to believe?
Praying for you request.
TANYA EVANS – we see you. It is not the same as someone with you in the flesh, but we Shes are with you and happy to share your joys and sorrows. Praying the Lord will bring you a good friend.