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“Then Jesus told him, ‘You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.’” —John 20:29

John 20 brings us to the breathtaking moment when death loses its grip and hope rises with the dawn. Yet what is striking is how unprepared Jesus’ followers were for the miracle they had been told to expect. They had walked with Him, listened to Him, watched Him work wonders that defied every natural law — and still, resurrection seemed beyond imagination.

These were people who had seen water become wine, who had watched the blind open their eyes, the deaf hear, the lame walk, and demons flee. They had witnessed Jesus feed thousands with almost nothing, calm storms with a word, and call Lazarus out of a tomb. They had heard Him speak openly about His death and His return. And yet, when the moment came, none of them arrived at the tomb expecting life.

Early on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb carrying spices for a body she believed was still there. When she saw the stone rolled away, her first thought was not resurrection but loss — someone must have moved Him. She ran to find Peter and John, and the two disciples raced to the tomb. John arrived first but hesitated at the entrance. Peter, bold and impulsive, rushed inside. They saw the grave clothes lying there, but no body.

And then, in a quiet moment of clarity, John understood. Scripture had foretold it. Jesus had promised it. And now, standing in the emptiness of that tomb, he believed.

The disciples left, but Mary stayed. Her grief kept her rooted to the place where she had last seen Him. Through her tears, she saw two angels sitting where His body had been. Turning around, she saw a man she assumed was the gardener. She begged him to tell her where Jesus had been taken.

Then He spoke her name — “Mary.” One word. One voice she knew better than any other. And in that instant, her sorrow turned to joy. The risen Christ stood before her.

Later that evening, the disciples gathered behind locked doors, afraid of what might happen next. Fear often closes us in, just as it did them. But locked doors cannot keep out the risen Lord. Jesus appeared among them, showing His wounds — proof of His suffering, proof of His victory. Their fear melted into joy.

But Thomas wasn’t there. When the others told him what they had seen, he couldn’t accept it. His heart needed more than secondhand testimony. He needed to see, to touch, to know for himself. Many of us understand Thomas more than we admit. Faith can feel fragile. Hope can feel risky. Belief can feel like stepping into the unknown.

Eight days later, Jesus met Thomas exactly where he was. He appeared again behind locked doors and invited Thomas to touch His wounds. Not to shame him, but to strengthen him. “Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe.” Jesus offered Thomas the evidence he needed — and the grace he didn’t deserve.

Thomas believed. And Jesus spoke words meant not only for him, but for every future believer: “Blessed are those who believe without seeing.”

This blessing rests on us today. We have not stood at the empty tomb. We have not touched His hands. But we are invited into the same faith, the same joy, the same risen life.

A Moment for Reflection

This passage invites us to consider:

• Where am I like Mary — grieving, searching, longing for Jesus to speak my name?
• Where am I like the disciples — hiding behind locked doors of fear or uncertainty?
• Where am I like Thomas — wanting to believe, yet holding back until I feel more certain?
• What would it look like for me to trust the risen Christ more fully today?

The resurrection is not only an event to celebrate. It is a reality to live in. Jesus meets us in our confusion, our fear, our doubt, and our longing — and He calls us to believe, to hope, and to walk with Him in newness of life.

He is risen. And because He lives, we can live in faith, courage, and joy.