But (Thomas) said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."    (John 20:25)

The gospel reading for today, the Second Sunday of Easter, relays in part the story of Thomas, known down through the ages as "Doubting Thomas". I would submit that a more appropriate moniker would be "Lucky Thomas". Why lucky? Let's see.

Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to (Jesus), "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you." He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.(Matt. 12:38-39)

The Pharisees and scribes ask for a sign from Jesus. Why? Because they want to believe him. The Messiah was expected to do signs and miracles as proof of his identity, so their question is a natural one. What is the response? "No!" Jesus rebuffs their demand to prove his identity as the long-awaited son of David they expected. Instead, he redirects to an allegory comparing Jonah's three days in the fish to his own impending three days in the tomb

Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, "By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons." Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. (Luke 11:14-16)

This is curious. Here Jesus actually performs a miracle, akin to what he had been asked elsewhere, and what is the response? Faith, praise, or acclaim? No! An accusation that the miracle was actually black magic, performed by the power of Satan! What type of "sign from heaven" did the crowd want in this case? Whatever it was, Jesus did not fulfill their wish, and they are not convinced.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform some miracle. (Luke 23:8)

Was Herod ready to accept Jesus as the Messiah had he done a sign in his presence during the interview just before his crucifixion? There is no way to know. The odds seem low. Herod would have likely regarded a political Messiah, along the lines of what we think the Jews expected at the time, as a threat to his throne and attempted to do away with him. But what if Jesus had really put on a show which left no doubt as to his identity? Would Herod had killed God's Anointed One? It is useless speculation, as Jesus does not oblige Herod's request. "Another phony", Herod thinks.

Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." (John 2:18-19)

The Gospel of John, where we started our reflection, is all about Jesus' identity. The Jewish leaders want to know who Jesus claims to be, and for him to prove his authority as being from God. Once again, Jesus changes course and answers them with a riddle. Of course we know the solution to the riddle, but they did not. They got no satisfaction. "This guy is nuts", they think.

"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." (John 4:48)

This gets to the heart of the matter. How exactly to have faith in Jesus as Messiah if we don't see "signs and wonders"? Is it possible? In this case the official's request was granted, and his son was healed. What happened as a result? "So he and all his household believed." (John 4:53)

To return to where I started, why did I say "Lucky Thomas"? Well, Thomas demanded tangible proof of Jesus' resurrection, and the lucky fellow got it, the following week:

Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:27-28)

So where does that leave the rest of us? How many times have you ever said, "Just once Lord, show me a sign!" Most of us have. Some claim to have gotten some type of answer. Most never do. All we are left with is reliance on the mercy of God, on his gift of unmerited grace. All we can do is implore the Lord as the epileptic boy's father did nearly two thousand years ago:

"But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." " 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:22b-24) (All verses NIV)

Contributed by David
Sunday April 19, 2009
Liturgical Year B Week 21
Sunday Gospel Readings:
Second Sunday of Easter