Thomas speaks not just for the disciples, but for all of us. He isn't shrugging his shoulders, saying, "I don't know and I don't care." He's grieving the death of his leader, confused about the empty tomb, and scared for his life. But the only friends he trusts are claiming impossible experiences. For a week, he's listened to the testimony of his ten closest friends and a handful of women. They're calling each other "brother" and "sister" and acting like Jesus made them into a new family. They seem brand-new, and he has nowhere else to go. As they gather again on "the first day of the week"—the day they found the tomb empty and Jesus first appeared to them—Thomas is with them. But after they barricade the doors, Jesus stands among them again. He met Mary's grief with his peace, the disciples' fear with his peace, and now he meets Thomas' doubt with his peace. When Jesus invites him to touch his scars, he is welcoming Thomas to bring the full weight of his doubts. The nails went clean through his wrists, and the spear wound was so deep that his blood and water stained the ground beneath the cross. He wears the credentials of death. Thomas had claimed he'd need to place his hands in the scars, but instead, his mouth drops open: "My Lord and my God!" By the time that John wrote his Gospel, the Emperor Domitian demanded to be called "lord and god." As arrogant as it sounds, at least he was the ruler of Rome. Thomas freely says it to a man whom Rome crucified. Jesus responds to doubt with blessing. He blessed Thomas with his presence, and he blesses us when we believe without seeing. Week after week, Jews and Gentiles are gathering with disciples who tell them, "We know the Lord!" Yet they wonder: how can someone rise from the dead? John wrote his Gospel so we could be in the room with Thomas. My friend went on to write, "I wanted something more out of life that I wasn't getting. In Carson and in the church friends that I had gotten connected with, I saw that this something more was possible." Jesus says, "Blessed are all those who have not seen, and yet believe."