(R) Adam Davidson

Thomas demanded to see AND feel the wound for himself. The disciples had a worship service with doubters in the congregation. And today, we have reason to doubt and reason to believe. Which will we choose?

Jesus is mysterious — He shows up after the resurrection in the mundane and surprises us with a miracle. I wonder how many times I’ve simply missed the fact that Jesus was there — bringing peace, speaking truth, leading me. I’m praying for us, that we will be aware of the mystery of the risen Jesus in our lives.

How many more miracles would help us *really* believe? After the healing, the walking on water, the raising of the dead, the resurrection of Christ… how many more? John reminds us that these miracles have a deeper, eternal purpose that transcends our temporary experience here and now…

It was sunny and 80 degrees a few days ago, but now the wind-blown snow is sticking to everything again. No matter the weather, someone likes it and someone else is complaining about it. Why is that things are never quite right? How can I stop complaining?

We had an old guy over to give us a quote on a new air conditioner on an 80 degree Wednesday (with snow forecast for next Monday, by the way) and he told me not to replace the system yet, saying “If we can get the coils clean, you might buy some time”, which would save us many dollars. Turns out time really is money. So, we set out to dismantle the compressor that sits nestled in our backyard camouflaged by arborvitaes and butterfly bushes, hoping to get the innards clean enough to increase its efficiency enough to brave another Michigan summer.

I’m a blessed dad with three teenage lads who are growing up, learning, and doing more of the heavy lifting. Mac (17) stepped in to help with project AC. We were working on it together for a bit, but, as often happens, I was called to dad in another place for another kid, so I excused myself, leaving the job just started. I went about with cleaning out the dryer vent with Zac and Carter. Was it 2 minutes later that Mac asked me about something?… I don’t know, but I do know that he had taken over the air conditioning job without prompting. He got the whole thing apart, brushed it, sprayed it with detergent, rinsed it off, and put it back together. We threw the power on and, after about a minute of sweat formed on our brow, the AC fired up (iced up?) and cold air moved swiftly through the house.

Mac did the job but didn’t really need me to help. It’s bittersweet. Mostly sweet, because it means that he’s becoming a man. I figure if I can work myself out of a job by training these boys, I’m successful and, more importantly, so will they be. Mac says “I want to learn everything you know about (you name it: cars, electrical, people) so that I’m smarter than you.”

Sometimes I wonder if he already is.

Jesus Christ is risen from the dead. He proves it by eating. A bundle of miracles — He has been raised back to life. You and I have been given life and are alive now (see? we eat). But what about being spiritually alive? The only life — true, eternal, real life — is found in Jesus.

Doubt is an essential piece of faith. It takes faith because it seems doubtful *until* we see the Truth, encounter the Spirit, and believe what seems like nonsense. The world will doubt it. You and I will experience doubt. Yet… we believe in the mystery of the gospel and the miracle of resurrection. It’s how we live.

The angel had to remind the women that an empty tomb is exactly what Jesus promised. May you and I know the Word, apply the Word, and walk in the Spirt today, so that we remember in the moment…

“Don’t be alarmed!” the angel said. Why? Because Jesus is risen and on the move to the next thing. Yet we come to a full stop and stay alarmed. We must keep going, forgetting what lies behind. Here’s your Tuesday nudge. Press on in faith!

Don’t diminish the miracle. Don’t pay yourself off to cover it up. Don’t try to ignore it. Don’t dismiss it as a conspiracy. He’s really alive. Everything around us now moves on to the next thing, but not you and me — let’s spend today continuing to realize the resurrection!