Thomas, when he saw Jesus in that hidden room, didn't doubt the resurrection. He doubted the crucifixion. Thomas wanted evidence that Jesus had actually died that cruel death - he wanted to see his body wounds - because he was struggling to believe that the event had actually happened - that Jesus their Lord had been executed; that the one who was supposed to be saving them from the powers which oppressed them, had submitted himself to those very powers; that the Messiah had become a victim of the violence of the world.
Thomas struggled to believe that having gone through that terrible ordeal his Lord's response was to come back to them in a spirit of forgiveness, offering peace. It was clear to him that his Lord was alive. But could he really have died so violently in the first place, if, on coming back to life, he was so free of vengeance, retribution, and so full of forgiveness, peace?
From The Resurrection - believe the peace - my offering at three or four churches today.
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