Tom The Twin

John 20:24–29

‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’

Hi, I’m Tom the Twin.

I’m simply a realist. Look, we’d all seen it happen. It couldn’t have been more emphatic, or final. Jesus was finished, it was all over. Judicially tried, officially executed – in the most disgusting way the pagans knew. So all our hopes for this ‘messiah’ crushed with him. Worse, in fact, because it was obviously God’s curse too.

I was heartbroken but you have to accept plain facts. Now the lads were going totally weird, saying he’d shown up last week, right as rain. They were so crazy-buzzing that I decided I must go to the meeting myself this time, if only so that I could report the truth afterwards. So I went. And – it happened: he came. Jesus arrived, no idea how. Immediate silence, their faces: every eye on me, all beaming, Told you so!’.

“Shalom, all. Now, Tom,” he stretched out his hand, pulling back his shawl, “Come and check, I’ve got the gashes right here. Push your fingers in!

Sometimes, worship just erupts. And seeing Jesus is one of those times. Words that could only be used for the Almighty fitted Jesus perfectly: “My Lord, my God.”

In Revelation, we saw history’s most famous worship song burst out when Jesus, the Lamb, crucified and risen, is seen as the centrepiece of the huge throne room. Whether massed choirs or a rough sceptic, wide-eyed faced with the facts, seeing Jesus is the root of worship. The gospels are packed with stories of Jesus meeting ordinary people, doing extraordinary things and evoking gratitude and worship. This week, we are going to look at a few, get involved, and worship him.

So, find a quiet place, read the passage, re-read Tom’s story and then move from spectator to participant, curiosity to adoration.

Adoration: Lord Jesus, My Lord and my God. I worship you for dying for me; for following your Father’s will to save all creation and including me in your eternal purposes. I think now of the suffering and death you bore; I see the wounds in your body. I believe your words and promises for now and all time.

‘Worthy is the Lamb… to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!’