How would you like to have a derogatory nickname attached to you for all of your life?  Like Silly Sally.  Or Krazy Keith.  Well, one of the disciples still has an unfortunate moniker, and it has lasted for 2000 years, and counting.  Doubting Thomas.

“Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’  But he said to them, ‘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 it.'”[John 20:24-25]

So you can see that Thomas’ nickname was well deserved.  Moving on:

“A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.  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; see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into my side.  Stop doubting and believe.'”[John 20:26-27]

And based on this incontrovertible evidence, Thomas exclaimed the statement that we all will exclaim upon our entrance into Heaven:

“Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!'”[John 20:28]

But wait, there’s more.  Jesus went from speaking to just one person to speaking to millions of people to follow, even Silly Sally and Krazy Keith:

“Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'”    [v. 29]

In a fallen world, with our perishable bodies, it is difficult, no, it is impossible, to feel blessed 24/7.  So may I propose that at least once a day we consider and accept this promise from Jesus that even though we have not seen, we believe, and because we believe, we will be blessed.  By Him.  In His time.

Grab that blessing,

–Keith