Perhaps you’ve heard the catchphrase for the hit TV show CSI: "The evidence never lies." This could be Thomas' motto as well.
I used to look down on Thomas. I never understood how someone could have spent three years with Jesus, watching him and listening to him, and not believe he had risen. I believed that Thomas got what he deserved: to go down in history as the poster child of "doubters" and "skeptics,” and to be known as the man who didn’t have enough faith to believe in the resurrection without proof.
When I pray about it, though, I have to ask, “Can I really be the one to ‘cast the first stone’ at Thomas?” Within his circle of friends, he watched one suffer an excruciating death and saw the others run away, denying that they even knew Christ. The evidence was all around him that what they said about seeing the risen Christ couldn't be true. Why shouldn't he doubt? Jesus returning wasn't logical, it wasn't reasonable, and it didn't make sense.
However……
God's love isn't what CSI would call “evident” or "provable" or "practical" or "possible". God’s love simply IS. But, the daily living of this belief this is harder than it might seem.
For example, I know I was made in the image of God. I know I am beautiful. I know that God loves me totally and completely as I am. However, like Thomas, I can say I've had my doubts. It doesn't seem to make sense that God would love me for who I am if my hair is not perfect, I ramble incoherently when I am nervous, and only my left leg fits into a size 4 skirt. But God loves me more then I could ever imagine. Just the way I am.
Do I doubt that sometimes? Yes. Do I doubt that God could love me when I have trouble loving myself? Yes. But God's love and faith in me is stronger and more powerful than any doubt I might have in myself or in his love.
Like Thomas, I believe that we are called to remember that God’s love won’t be limited by our standards of “logic,” “reason,” and “sense.” Instead, God’s love is real, is truth, and is greater than we can imagine. By remembering we are loved, and, by loving others in return, we can truly embrace EASTER FAITH.