Christ Church Daily Devotion Dec 23 2023

In today's Daily Devotion, we read from John chapter 20 about Thomas doubting Jesus' resurrection. Despite his skepticism, Jesus appeared to Thomas and showed him his wounds, leading Thomas to believe. This story reminds us that both Christmas and Easter are times when God surprises us and shows us that nothing is impossible. We can question the literal interpretation of the Bible, but we should also believe that God can do anything and loves to surprise us. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for December 23rd, 2023. Today we will be reading from John chapter 20, verses 24 through 29. Now Thomas, one of the twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, and put my fingers where the nails were, and put my hands into his side, I will not believe. A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. Then he said to Thomas, Put your fingers here. See my hands. Reach out your hands and put them into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Thomas said to him, My Lord and my God. Then Jesus told him, Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed. 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 revealed 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 chapter 1 verse 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. Today's 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 in ways you surprise us. In Jesus name. Amen.