4.30.25 ~ 40 days after His resurrection (Pt. 6)

Good morning!

Welcome to the 18th day of counting the omer and the self revelation of "doubting Thomas", one of the 12 disciples who doubted; as well as the countless millions of us today that doubt unless we see.

Thomas, who was absent the first time Yeshua appeared to the 10, was honest enough to say what many are too scared to admit: "unless I see the nail marks unless I touch..." It was this doubt that Yeshua came. He made a special trip just for Thomas.  He met Thomas' doubt with demonstration. He didn’t scold him for needing evidence. He invited him closer. Put your finger here...that moment changed everything. Yeshua doesn’t bypass fear or doubt. He steps right into it, with scarred hands, extended in breath that brings life.

At this time of counting the omer, I'm fairly confident that each of us have areas that we need visible evidence of what we've been told. Fortunately, in those moments, when it's least expected, He gives peace where there is panic. Proof where there’s uncertainty. And purpose, where there was only paralysis through hyper analysis. In today’s world, so many are spiritually hiding behind locked doors, fear of the future, confusion about faith, doubt, wrapped in shame, but Yeshua isn't intimidated by these realities, He still enters those rooms without knocking without waiting for perfect belief and his first words haven’t changed, "peace be with you" (Jn. 20:19).

Maybe that’s where you are right now; behind a locked door in your soul wondering, "have I missed Him," wondering if your doubt disqualifies you! Fortunately, through Yeshua's actions, it doesn't :-) :-).

Thomas became one of the greatest missionaries in history, reportedly bringing the gospel to India (Jonnakuti and Pastor Kumar keep the gospel going!). His doubt wasn’t his disqualification, it became the doorway to a deeper conviction. His doubt wasn't negativity, it was skepticism; healthy skepticism.  Can you imagine what would happen if we let Yeshua into our fear today? Into our skepticism? Into a realm where He still breathes purpose? Knowing He still speaks, "as the Father sent me, I am sending you" (Jn. 20:21). This, my friend, isn't ancient historyIt’s active realty, because the same spirit He breathed on them is the spirit that fills our house now (Jn. 20:22).

The biggest question I have to ask myself is, "am I living like I’ve received it? Or am I still locked in the room? He’s present at just the right time, scarred, hands, steady breath. Is it time to let His evidence change your perspective from doubt and despair to a fearless disciple? The other 10 had seen the scars, felt the breath on their faces and encountered the crucified one. Christ had stood before them, alive. Their fear had begun to melt into purpose, but Thomas wasn’t there. Why wasn’t he? The gospels don't say. Maybe he was grieving alone. Maybe the weight of disillusionment had driven him into isolation. Maybe the abandonment, the echo as "I will die with you", spoken by Peter, in the garden, was too much...whatever the reason, I'm sure 'WE' know his reason; because his doubt is ours.

What we do know is that Thomas missed the first appearance. And when the disciples found him and tried to share the joy they'd seen, he didn’t just doubt, he demanded, 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 (Jn. 20:25). It wasn’t unbelief rooted in rebellion.

It was heartbreak, wrapped in honesty! And that's a valuable lesson for us. With that mindset Yeshua didn’t rush to correct Thomas. He didn’t appear immediately to prove the others right. He waited eight days. Eight days of waiting in silence. Eight days of sitting in uncertainty; while your friends look with eyes that have seen what yours haven’t. Eight days of wrestling. Not just with doubt, but with disappointment. Why the delay? I can tell you from experience: Faith forged in silence often burns brighter than faith formed in spectacle.  And when Yeshua did come, He came for Thomas.

The doors were locked again. The fear was not fully gone, and suddenly, just as before, Yeshua stood among them, but this time His eyes were locked on one man. He turned to Thomas with an invitation, "put your finger here, see my hands reach out your hand and put it into my side stop doubting and believe (Jn. 20:27). He met Thomas at the exact place of his skepticism. Yeshua didn’t avoid the questions, he exposed His wounds, and invited Thomas to touch them and in that moment something deeper than sight happened...Thomas didn’t need to reach. He didn’t need to talk. His doubt dissolved in the presence of the risen Savior, and what came out of his mouth was the most profound confession in the gospels, "my Lord and my God" (Jn. 20:28). Not just teacher/rabbi.  Not just prophet, but God. Yeshua didn’t need the crowd to crown Him. He had a wounded, freightened and skeptical disciple declare it. And then came the words that weren’t just for Thomas, they were for you, for me, for everyone who has ever wondered if they missed their moment:

"because you have seen me you have believed, blessed are those who have not seen yet have believed" (Jn. 20:29).

On this 18th day of counting the omer, may your doubts, fears, personal isolation and reflection, be turned into a powerful declaration that leads to action!

Shalom,
Alan