Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read John 20:24-29.
Yes, it seems strange to be reading part of the Easter story here at Christmas. But it is a reminder that Christmas was not the only time God invited the world to experience something new and different. Both Christmas and Easter reveal to us a God of surprises, One who is not bound by our understanding of how things are supposed to be. For Jesus to be alive was totally unrealistic to Thomas, but when he experienced the risen Christ for himself, he was “all in” on believing. Jesus (and the writer of this Gospel) uses the opportunity to bless all those who believe that “nothing is impossible with God” (as Luke reminds us in his Gospel at 1:37), whether they got to be there when it happened or not.
I am not one to take all of the Bible literally. I believe it is okay to question and wonder about whether some of what is written literally happened that way or if it was simply written that way to share some part of God’s truth and guidance to us. But I also fully believe that every bit of it could have happened exactly as it is written. God has all power. God can do anything God wants to do. And God seems to love to surprise us!
Personal Worship Option:
Offer this prayer or one like it in your own words: God of Christmas and Easter, thank you so much for those two major times when you surprised us, giving us an assurance of your presence and power and love for all the world! Help us to be aware of other times and ways you surprise us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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