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The disciple, Thomas devised a

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kind of experiment to test the

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claim that Jesus had risen from

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the dead. From Moody Bible

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Institute, this is today in the word,

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and I'm John Gieger. It's

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one of the most famous statements in the entire New Testament.

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Today, in the word, we hear the words of Thomas

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echoing from John 20, verse 25,

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unless I see the nail marks

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in his hands and put my finger

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where the nails were and put my

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hands into his side, I

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will not believe. Now

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Thomas, you know, was not alone in his doubt.

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According to Luke 24, verse 11,

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the other disciples had difficulty accepting

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the testimony of Mary Magdalene and the other

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women who had seen Jesus at the tomb.

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Their skepticism was only remedied

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by experience. Jesus

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appeared again on the evening of that first

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day of the week, when the disciples were together

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with the doors locked, for fear of the

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Jewish leaders. Now, this is

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not a picture of faith and courage.

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It shows the disciples hunkered down

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behind locked doors and terrified.

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Jesus didn't bother to knock and wait

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to be let in. He came and stood

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among them. Nor did he chide

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them for their unbelief and fear. Instead,

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he greeted them with a customary shalom.

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Jesus breathed on them in anticipation

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of Pentecost, told them to receive

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the Holy Spirit, and commissioned them

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as his witnesses and messengers.

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The peace that Jesus offers and the

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promise of the Holy Spirit do not

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belong only to those who have

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seen him with their own eyes, but to

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all who will believe. That's

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you and me. Hope you have believed him.

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And I hope you'll check out our website today in The

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Word. You'll

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find all our devotionals there and some

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other great links as well at today

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in the word. Thanks

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for listening today.