Second Sunday of Easter – April 12, 2026
““Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, 
was not with them when Jesus came.” 
- John 20:24 -
My Lord and My God
Has anyone ever told you a story that made you say, “Wow, I wish I had been there!”? You don’t just want to hear about it; you want to experience what they experienced. I’m sure Thomas felt the same way. It is easier to doubt than to believe. The other disciples surely had their own doubts, questioning everything, trying to understand. They heard Jesus talk about suffering and death, but they did not believe it could happen to Him. They knew He raised people from the dead, but they didn’t imagine that He would be raised, too. 
This story of Thomas begins on Easter when Jesus first appeared before the disciples. They were sad, grieving, confused, doubtful, and afraid. Their attitude changed when they saw Jesus. Their tears turned to laughter. Can you imagine walking into a room full of laughing disciples when all you can think of is your dead Master? Thomas must have thought they were crazy. “How can you be laughing at a time like this?”
We pick on Thomas, but can we really blame him? It is possible that he had not even heard Jesus had been raised. Thomas’ doubt does not suggest a lack of trust or love; he was still feeling the sadness of Good Friday. The disciples were given an incredible gift: peace and forgiveness. They would not have believed without the power Jesus gave them when He breathed on them. Thomas needed the breath of Jesus, too. He did not believe until Jesus gave him the Spirit that He had given to them all. Then confessing Thomas responded with faith by saying, “My Lord and my God.”
Jesus gives us the same gift. He comes to us and says, “Be at peace. Trust in me and trust in my Father. His promises are true, and He is faithful. Whatever you face, do so with faith, knowing that everything is already finished. Live in the forgiveness I have obtained for you and take it out the door into the world for others.” This is the life we are called to live, possible only by God’s grace.

Second Sunday of Easter – April 12, 2026
““Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, 
was not with them when Jesus came.” 
- John 20:24 -
My Lord and My God
Has anyone ever told you a story that made you say, “Wow, I wish I had been there!”? You don’t just want to hear about it; you want to experience what they experienced. I’m sure Thomas felt the same way. It is easier to doubt than to believe. The other disciples surely had their own doubts, questioning everything, trying to understand. They heard Jesus talk about suffering and death, but they did not believe it could happen to Him. They knew He raised people from the dead, but they didn’t imagine that He would be raised, too. 
This story of Thomas begins on Easter when Jesus first appeared before the disciples. They were sad, grieving, confused, doubtful, and afraid. Their attitude changed when they saw Jesus. Their tears turned to laughter. Can you imagine walking into a room full of laughing disciples when all you can think of is your dead Master? Thomas must have thought they were crazy. “How can you be laughing at a time like this?”
We pick on Thomas, but can we really blame him? It is possible that he had not even heard Jesus had been raised. Thomas’ doubt does not suggest a lack of trust or love; he was still feeling the sadness of Good Friday. The disciples were given an incredible gift: peace and forgiveness. They would not have believed without the power Jesus gave them when He breathed on them. Thomas needed the breath of Jesus, too. He did not believe until Jesus gave him the Spirit that He had given to them all. Then confessing Thomas responded with faith by saying, “My Lord and my God.”
Jesus gives us the same gift. He comes to us and says, “Be at peace. Trust in me and trust in my Father. His promises are true, and He is faithful. Whatever you face, do so with faith, knowing that everything is already finished. Live in the forgiveness I have obtained for you and take it out the door into the world for others.” This is the life we are called to live, possible only by God’s grace.